(Toronto) Montreal and Toronto. Canadian and Maple Leafs. Sir Pathétik and Drake.
There is a certain and natural rivalry between Quebec and Ontario. Saturday, at BMO Field in Toronto, another chapter of the rivalry will be written during the Eastern final between the Montreal Alouettes and the Toronto Argonauts.
And since the history is already loaded, both camps agree that this match will have a special connotation.
For Quebecer Kristian Matte, the effect of facing sworn enemies, especially in a playoff context, has never dissipated, even after 14 seasons.
“Growing up in Montreal, there was always the Canadiens and the Maple Leafs and even today it’s a big thing. But just coming to Ontario, whether it’s the Argonauts or the other teams, it’s always special. There is a rivalry between the two provinces and I love that,” he explained at a press briefing on Friday afternoon.
Even though he arrived in Montreal less than a year ago, Alouettes head coach Jason Maas understands the extent to which one-on-one meetings have an unparalleled character for the team’s fans and Quebec players within the team. “We were never embarrassed to say who we represented on the field,” he maintained.
Since taking office last winter, his mission has been to give fans a reason to be proud of their team. And this type of match, he admits, is a perfect opportunity: “We represent Montrealers and Quebecers. We know we are in Ontario. There is a real rivalry between Quebec and Ontario. I think it’s a good thing, because it motivates us. We have never been embarrassed to talk about the pride of playing for the house and how proud we are to represent Quebec. »
A good team
For Marc-Antoine Dequoy and David Côté, this clash against the Argos comes with a burden, inevitably.
But not necessarily because Toronto represents the archenemy.
It remains an elimination match. There are so few teams in the east that they all become rivals at some point. We focus on the opponent, on Toronto. The rivalry aspect makes for good press, but really, we’re just focused.
Marc-Antoine Dequoy
And the Alouettes will have to be focused, indeed, because their opponents had the best season in their history with a record of 16 wins and two losses, in addition to having beaten Montreal three times in as many games this season.
“Since I arrived in the league, Toronto has been the best team in the east,” Côté said by telephone on Thursday. They were always good, they made it to the final, they were better than us. And there’s a little something about playing against them, because we know we’re very close to them. »
To understand the Alouettes’ kicker, the desire to beat the Argonauts at all costs is not necessarily motivated by the proximity and the past between the two cities, but rather by the desire to want to defeat the best team.
“We want to beat them every time we play against them, but every time we miss a little something. So that’s more what heightens the rivalry. Especially since we’ve been playing against them in the Eastern final for two years. »
And the Quebecer is lucid, “there is the Toronto-Canadian rivalry which is very present, but I don’t think it is as valid among the Alouettes”.
After all, as Argos defensive back and former Alouettes Adarius Pickett recalled. “At this point in the season, it’s just another opponent. »
The Argos are ready
So, regardless of the language used in the province or the way of preparing poutine, we must expect a trench battle in the CFL association final.
The Alouettes have a good defense, but the Argonauts have a good offense.
They do a lot of good things and they have a ton of great athletes. Young people and older people who have been in the league for a long time. […] Even though we won our three games, they were all close. So you will have to arrive prepared.
Chad Kelley
The Alouettes’ offensive unit woke up during the last game against the Tiger-Cats, but the Argonauts’ defense is waiting for it.
“Fajardo can run, it brings another dimension to their attack and we have to respect that,” explained linebacker Wynton McManis. But we will remain ourselves. We’re going to be physical. And we won’t give any gifts. »
Only one dance remains between the two teams to determine who will return home with their head between their two legs. To see if the Alouettes will take flight or if the Argonauts will continue their crusade. In any case, the rivalry will live on.