The 2019 Western Final may have happened 22 months ago, but the sting of that heartbreaking 20-13 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is still strong with two veteran members of the team.
Sunday’s Labour Day Classic will be the first meeting between the two since that defeat. Quarterback Cody Fajardo admits there is still some bad memories from that game and it is being used as motivation for Sunday.
“That’s been motivation for all the off-season.” Fajardo said. “It’s been my driving force. It’s a fire that burns inside of me. Anytime you lose the last game of the season, you don’t do what you expected to do. I can’t think about 2019 going into Sunday though. I have to think about our opportunities this season and do what has to be done to win a football game.”
Defensive back Ed Gainey not only remembers the 2019 Western Final, but the 2018 Western semi-final as well which saw Winnipeg walk into Mosaic Stadium and beat the Riders.
“Speaking for myself, I always think about those two games because they put us out both years. I still have a bad taste in my mouth from those games. ” Gainey said. “When it comes to Winnipeg, all I want to do is win. If we’re not doing that then we are doing something wrong and the last three times we have played, they have gotten the best of us,
The comments were made as the team got back to work following their first bye week of the season. While gone, the Edmonton Elks-COVID 19 situation started to unfold. It is something head coach Craig Dickenson hoped the team would certainly pay attention to.
“What happened with Edmonton is unfortunate and a real shot of cold water and a dose of reality for all of us.” Dickenson said. “We all know that could happen to any team in the league.”
The Riders and Bombers will meet Sunday at 4 with the home team looking to stay the CFL’s lone unbeaten. Our coverage on 620 CKRM starts at 1
NOTES:
- Receiver Jordan Williams-Lambert practiced with the team after leaving the Ottawa game with an injury, but defensive lineman Micah Johnson did not after getting hurt in the same game. Dickenson remains hopeful both will play Sunday
- Offensive lineman Mattland Riley returned to practice. He missed time in August due to mononucleosis
- Fajardo and defensive lineman Jonathan Woodard were named as two of the three top performers of the month for August. BC quarterback Michael Reilly was the other top performer.
