2006 Season - BC Footy Cup

The BC Cup Report

In late May one of the most highly anticipated events in Australian Rules Football was held – The BC Cup. Just barely into it’s second year of formation the Cougars board decided to undertake a monumentus task of organizing a tournament that would determine just who was the best team in the North West Pacific of this HUGE continent. It was an ambitious plan but with months of careful planning and some last minute panicking, it all came together on the weekend of May 25th/26th, 2002.

Buoyed by the recent formation of a side in Edmonton, the Cougars invited archrivals Seattle, Calgary and Edmonton to this 2-day football extravaganza to be held at the Picturesque Burnaby Lakes complex. At the last moment, in what was not only highly controversial decision, but also an early blow to the tournament, Edmonton pulled out. However, the spectacle of the tournament would not be denied; some quick rescheduling and it was game on!!

It wasn’t just the football though that would make this tournament special. Many of the Cougars players went all out for this tournament. Cougar’s handy man Col Hilton excelled himself yet again by building a magnificent new scoreboard to go with the goal posts he had already constructed. He even whipped up a pair of goal umpire flags to ensure that extra professional touch was achieved.

Geoff Cunnold chipped in by securing the services of a bonafide Pie Man who practically creamed himself at the end of the day when 60-70 Aussies polished off his entire supply of about 250 pies. (Then about the same about on day 2).

A number of marques were erected to keep players and fans out of the slight drizzle that started to fall, but the highlight for the fans was the undercover grandstand that constructed utilizing some soccer goalposts and a highly expensive tarpaulin. It wasn’t long before an impromptu Bay 13 was added to set the mood and it was time to start the games….

Despite the inclement weather the ground was in fine form. After reviewing the state of the ground and noting that it was absolutely covered in goose crap, it was quickly determined that the first game of the tournament would be Calgary vs. Seattle.

Game 1 – Seattle v Calgary

The first game kicked off with the umpires (Stu and Campo) walking into the field with the Sherrin in hand and the Goal umpires of Jase and Doug looking splendid in their white lab coats and flagsticks.

In a slight drizzle the game was an engrossing affair. Each team traded goal for goal for much of the game which keep the goal umpires busy despite the shortened game (2 30 minute halves).

In the end, Seattle made most of the conditions and triumphed over Calgary by 18 points.

Game score – Seattle 7.9.51 to Calgary 5.3.33.

Game 2 – Cougars v Seattle

The crowd came alive when a little under 2 hours later the home team (and crowd favorites) the Cougars, came out for their first tussle. There was some concern that a few of the boys may have visited the pie man a few too many times before the big clash. However, with a record 30 players on hand, it was felt this could be covered.

It wasn’t long into the game before the Cougars started to assert their dominance. Their was some speculation that the Cats were still bruising from their encounter with the Kangaroos, but the Cougars were just too fired up on this occasion. First gamer Greggy was dominating the ruck duels which allowed Richo and Juzza to control the centre. Brendan was going in as hard as usual, and Dougie seemed to be slotting goals/points with every kick. In the end, the Cougars were just too strong for the tired Cats.

Game score – Cougars 8.6.54 to Seattle 1.6.12.

Goal scorers - Vargo (4), Jase (1), Adam Ball (1), Richo (1), Coop (1)
Best - Greg Bell (3), Juzza (2), Brendan Bannan (1)

Game 3 – Cougars v Calgary

In a similar match to their first game, Calgary threw absolutely everything at their opponent. On this occasion it was the Cougars. Despite the Cougars having to go ‘two in a row’, they were fired up to send Calgary packing home for an early exit. However, Calgary were having none of it, and in yet another extremely tight contest, they took it up to the Cougars for the full 60 minutes.

The backline of Coop and Coop tried their hardest to repel attack after attack, but in the end Calgary was just too strong.

Game score – Calgary 6.6.42 to Cougars 5.3.33

Goal scorers - Vargo (3), Col Hilton (1), Stu (1)
Best - Gary Cooper (3), Tom O'Sullivan(2), Tony Cooper (1)


At the end of day one, and with no Edmonton, the Cougars and Calgary went through to the Grand Final based on their superior percentages as each team finished with one win and one loss.

The Grand Final - Cougars v Calgary

Despite some aching muscles and a few hangovers from the previous night’s do at the Hop and Vine Bar, it was time for the Grand Final. Once again the facilities were in place to ensure a great spectacle for the fans and players alike.

In miserable conditions, the Grand Final was a slippery affair with the ball on the ground for much of the game. A number of the Cougars fired including Timmy, Sim, Richo, Justin and Tony Cooper to keep the Cougars in control despite the low scoring affair. In the two single goals by Jase and Greg were enough as the Cougars snuck by to take the inaugural BC Cup.

Game score – Cougars 2.8.20 to Cougars 2.0.12

Goal scorers - Jase (1), Greg Bell (1)
Best – Team Effort.

With the magnificent Cup (again built by Cougars Handyman Col Hilton) in hand, the serious football for the weekend was over with the Cougars triumphant.

Canada All-Stars v USA All Stars

To ensure the Seattle boys didn’t go home having played just the one game, a USA all-stars v Canada All Stars game was quickly organized and played after the Grannie. In a lighthearted affair, it was a couple of Cougars ring-ins on the USA team that helped them to a much deserved victory. Vargo (3) and Campo (1 -who stared through the centre), kicked all the USA goals to see them victorious by 10 points.

Game score – USA All-Stars 4.8.32 to Canada All-Stars 3.4.22

In the end a sensational tournament organized magnificently largely in part by the Prez – Timmy McGrath and the Super Coach Stu Grills.