DALHOUSIE TIGERS LOOKING TO THREE-PEAT

Part of the Rick Rivers Report

Wow, the energy in the room was intense as the 2023 edition of the Dalhousie Football Tigers

met for the first time. Needless to say, some of that energy came from recalling their efforts in

the most exciting game in Tiger history. Footballers talk about how momentum changes in

quarters or halves, but not in last year’s AFL championship.

Crazy as it seems, the MO changed in the last eight minutes and twenty-five seconds of the

final. The agony of defeat loomed as the Black and Gold were facing a mountain, down 25-6 to

the UNB Reds. But the Tigers tenaciously grabbed those minutes. The offence, defence and

special teams played near perfect ball and snatched the thrill of victory away from the Reds, 27-

26 on the UNB field.

The New Era Football Tigers now in their thirteenth season are striving for a three-peat which

would give them claim to five titles, one ahead of each of UNB and Holland College. On a sad

note, UNB Saint John will not field a squad this year, but hopefully will return in 2024. There is

also exciting talk about AFL ‘expansion in the near future.

The decibel level produced by the over 90 players, coaches, trainers, etc. was like a roller

coaster as head coach Dave Kelly and team founder Jim Wilson outlined numerous important

information topics.

As usual safety and team respect were the highest on the agenda. The team has purchased 76

Guardian Caps which cover players’ helmets during practice, further lessening potential head

injury. In 2019, Dalhousie University was the first team in Canada to purchase Riddell’s Insight

helmets with impact sensor. I am sure that veterans and rookies will be happy with the latest

head protection.

This AFL season, each team will play three home and three away games and get three byes.

Some look upon this as negative but others respond by saying the student/athletes will have

more time to study and have extra time to recover between games.

Don’t miss the home opener on Saturday, September 9th as the Black and Gold will have the

grudge game of the year against the Reds who they edged in their titanic comeback for the

Atlantic Football League title. Kickoff is at 7:00pm.

Also, not to miss will be the first on-campus Dalhousie sanctioned homecoming game in years,

October 7, one o’clock on Wickwire Field. This event will include a licensed area, food trucks,

live DJ’s and more.

The Tigers will play another formative rival, Holland College on October 28th at one o’clock on

Wickwire Field. Hopefully the Tigers will then be in first place and therefore host the AFL

Championship on November 11th.

Already the Black and Gold football hype is mounting! So, circle the above-mentioned dates on

your calendar and bring out your black and gold touque, scarf and mitts to cheer on those

Dalhousie Tigers! GO TIGERS!!!! Another year of the TIGER!

On a sad note, a great Dalhousie student/athlete, from years ago, passed in August. PETER

CORKUM (82), was a Dal Hall of Fame (HoF) athlete in Football and Hockey. His business

acumen was also of HoF status. However, he is especially noted worldwide for his expertise in

coaching curling, having been inducted to numerous halls of fame!