Alouettes: confident, but not too much

BET À DAY

MONTREAL | There was a certain kind of bonhomie in the Alouettes' camp on Friday, during the last practice of the 2022 season on the Olympic Park field.

Members of the Montreal club were all smiles, cracking jokes and enthusiastically celebrating their successes. In short, there was no one who seemed stressed two days before the final of the Eastern Division of the Canadian Football League against the Argonauts in Toronto.

However, it should not be believed that the club of la Belle Province is above its business. The Alouettes' assistant head coach, André Bolduc, thinks his team is quite aware of its potential, without however being overconfident.

“We can't be too confident considering the regular season we've just had,” he said, referring to the club's 9-9 record.

“We've had big changes during the campaign, especially among the coaches. We also had to deal with serious injuries. We therefore cannot suffer from overconfidence, even if we know what we are capable of. The only trap we could fall into is indiscipline.”

Stay calm

Bolduc is also convinced that the key to qualifying for the Gray Cup game will be managing emotions for the Alouettes.

“They [the Argonauts] talk a lot on social networks and show great confidence. They say stuff that we read,” he said.

“We will have to stay focused and disciplined if they carry over their attitude from the last few days on the pitch. It will be very important to keep calm.”

The man who has been one of the coaches of the “Als” since the 2014 season is also convinced that his troop has proven that it is capable of not getting carried away by emotions. He took as an example the last game, a victory in the Eastern semi-final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

In the second half of this game, the Alouettes' lead melted like snow at the sun, while the attack didn't do any good.

“No one was shouting on the bench. Everyone was convinced that we were going to turn things around and win this game, which we did,” Bolduc said to prove his point.

Mayala ill

In another vein, there was a major absentee for the Sparrows in training, since wide receiver Hergy Mayala was shining by his absence.

“Hergy is sick today [Friday], explained head coach Danny Maciocia. I hope he will be able to be with us in Toronto. We should hear from him soon.”

In 19 games this season, the Montrealer has caught 33 balls for 409 yards and two touchdowns.

Si Mayala n is not recovered enough to face the “Argos”, the American Cole Spieker will take his place in the formation. The latter had six catches for 105 yards and a major in the two games he played in 2022.

“There is not much that Cole does not do well, said Maciocia. He's a big guy for a receiver and he imposes himself physically. If an opportunity comes his way, I'm sure he'll take it.”