The Winnipeg Blue Bombers weren’t exactly sitting on pins and needles Saturday afternoon.
Whether they stayed in the West for the playoffs or crossed over to the East came down to the result of the Edmonton Elks-Saskatchewan Roughriders game.
With the Riders prevailing 16-9, the Bombers (9-9) dropped to fourth in the West, setting up a date with the Toronto Argonauts (9-9) in Saturday’s East semifinal (12 p.m. CT) at BMO Field to begin their Grey Cup chase.
“I think I was hanging out with Zach (Collaros). His daughter had a birthday party,” said quarterback Dru Brown, who attended with his wife and son.
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Dru Brown was at a children’s birthday party with Zach Collaros during the Edmonton Elks-Saskatchewan Roughriders game, the outcome of which would determine who the Bombers play in the post-season this weekend.
“His kids love my son, it’s funny, so I like going over there. But yeah, we were kind of in and out kind of watching (the game).”
Last year marked the first time the Bombers found themselves as the crossover team. They lost a memorable 42-33 shootout to the Montreal Alouettes.
Although the experience is no longer new, head coach Mike O’Shea doesn’t believe there’s much to take from last year that will help the Bombers this time around.
“I don’t think so. There’s been years where you’re good on the road and there’s some years when you’re not,” he said. “I don’t know that the crossover in the playoff is that mystical, really.”
Mystical or not, there’s been 13 crossover teams and every single one failed to reach the Grey Cup.
With the CFL set to introduce a new playoff format next season, the Bombers will have the final opportunity to make history.
“I didn’t even think about that,” said receiver Nic Demski. “But for sure, we gotta make the most of it.”
Ethan Cairns / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brady Oliveira was named a finalist for the CFL’s for Most Outstanding Canadian, Tuesday.
Trio of Bomber finalists
Running back Brady Oliveira, right tackle Jarell Broxton and cornerback Major Williams are in the running for prestigious CFL hardware.
The trio of Bombers were named finalists Tuesday, with Oliveira up for Most Outstanding Canadian, Broxton in contention for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and Williams a finalist for Most Outstanding Rookie.
The league changed its awards format this year, naming three finalists for each instead of one representative from each division.
Codie McLachlan / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE
Blue Bombers’ Major Williams, left, is a finalist for Most Outstanding Rookie.
Oliveira is joined by B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke and Montreal Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot. Broxton will compete against a pair of Alouettes in Nick Callender and Pier-Olivier Lestage, while Williams is up against Toronto receiver Tyler Kahmann and B.C. linebacker Parker McKenna.
The CFL will announce the finalists for Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player on Wednesday.
Bombers sweep Week’s best
Three Bombers have been named Week 21 Players of the Week.
Brown claimed top spot after coming off the bench for an injured Collaros and leading the blue and gold to a 34-10 victory over the B.C. Lions. Brown helped the Bombers score 31 consecutive points in just over a quarter of play.
Ethan Cairns / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Dorian Singer, centre, recorded four catches for 119 yards and a touchdown in their 34-10 victory over the B.C. Lions, Saturday.
Oliveira finished second after rushing 15 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns, while rookie receiver Dorian Singer placed third with four catches for 119 yards and a touchdown.
It’s the first time this season that all three Players of the Week have come from the same team.
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Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.
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