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We know we’ve made you wait a long long time for this latest instalment of the Blues Brothers segment. And for that we apologize. We were too busy flying around the globe trying to find out who the OAFL’s Phantom and Jean Gray are with very little luck.

BB: Hey Keno. Welcome to our secret bat cave mate – hopefully you didn’t have any trouble finding us… Although you do have super-human powers so we never doubted ya. Probably fair to say that you’ve enjoyed a pretty decent season from both a personal and team point of view. What was your highlight for 2009

Keno: Definitely beating the Dingos to advance to the Prelim finals for the first time in the club’s history. The fact that it happened in Bruce Parker’s and my 50th Blues game made it extra special. Having played with Bruce since the club’s inception, I know firsthand the hard work and dedication he puts in on and off the field so I was really happy for him. Singing the Blues song on the field with all my Blues Brothers around me is a moment that I will keep with me forever. It’s these moments that you play footy for. I think Jen Parker took a couple of pics of that moment that I really love. Pictures can say a thousand words but in that case, only 3 were necessary. Pure, Unadulterated Joy.

BB: Geez talk about a warm and fuzzy!!! Know exactly how you feel about that game. Now, you were elevated into the Vice Captain role at the beginning of this season.  Did you find this role lead to you feeling more pressure on you to perform?

Keno: I didn’t feel any extra pressure to perform on the field, although I will admit it had other challenges. It’s a different role than I’ve experienced in the past and there is definitely room for improvement. I can’t just focus solely on my own individual game prep anymore and have to do a better job of getting other guys ready. I also have to be more cognizant of the fact that my words, actions and body language have a greater effect on the team than it did before.

BB: (In an Arnold Swarzenegger voice) “I don’t feel pressure. It feels me” - Talk about ice-cold Keno!! It didn’t seem like you played under any pressure – you always seemed like you were playing with your own ball – you had the ball that often. Obviously there were other players around you, especially plenty of rookies this year. The Blues blooded a lot of Canadian rookies this year with guys like Denton, Ivan and Evan leading the charge in front of a pack of guys like George, Hotdog and Missile. Who surprised you the most in terms of their overall performance this year?

Keno: I thought from the get-go that all 3 would be successful. It’s not often you have 3 guys new to the sport who are so dedicated. All three were right there with us training in the off season starting in January.  (George and Jack were also there and deserves due mention). So I knew that they would have a leg up on other rookies and be ready for the challenge. However, I must say that I was most surprised by the performance of Ivan ‘Milat’ Ouellette. From that first game in Guelph when Jmac asked for forward pressure at halftime and Milat came out and delivered, to his performance in the finals (where he was probably one of the top 3 performers), he was one of our most consistent players this year, of all the Blues, not just rookies.

Our rookies were each a bit unlucky not to win the league ROY.  The fact that all 3 were so good probably split some of the votes. I would take any one of them over any other rookie in the OAFL.

BB: Absolutely true – Milat probably has the best nickname at the club too I reckon. Speaking of finals, The Blues were knocked out by the Roos in the club’s first ever appearance in a preliminary final. With regards to the Blues performance – as a leader of the club, what was done well and what areas could the Blues have improved in this game?

Keno: I thought the team got off to a very good start. We kicked the first goal and generally outplayed the Roos in the first quarter and had a well deserved lead, which probably should’ve been more than 2 points. That’s one thing we could’ve done better at, capitalizing on the opportunities that we had which would’ve put more pressure on them. Against a top side like the Roos, you work so hard for scoring opportunities that you really have to take advantage when they arise or it can get a little discouraging.  That was the difference I think, when the Roos had the opportunities, they capitalized.

Another thing we could’ve improved on that day was forward pressure. We knew going in that their play was primarily through their backline guys, like Batesy and J.R. We just failed to execute the gameplan and let those guys roam free a little too much. A lot of the Roos’ goals were off turnovers and quick rebounds/counter attack.

On a positive note, I was very proud of the way the guys competed, we kept fighting right until the final whistle. The defence was tremendous, Scuba, DTrain and Jacob in particular. But to the Roos credit, they never let up and were the better side on the day.  I look forward to having another shot at them next year.

BB:  Going back to round 12 of this season. The Blues visited the Swans and Saints in Ottawa. On the way to O-Town our bus driver made the sensational decision of stopping off at what has got to be one of Ontario’s greatest hidden secrets in terms of tourist destinations… in fact all Canadians should add this on their top 100 things to do/visit before they die. We’re talking about the Big Apple (in Ontario of course… not New York – common mistake – since both destinations are absolutely world class) A couple of quick questions relating to this wicked side-trip:

• What did you buy to eat/drink at this pilgrim’s dream destination? And how did they rate out of 10?

Keno:  I had the world famous chicken noodle soup.  As Scuba would say, it was MAGIC. 13/10 at least.

• Delicious. Did you pet any of the animals in the petting zoo – if so which ones?

Keno: Unfortunately didn’t get to. I wanted to check out the goats but Milat was having a staring contest with them. I reckon the goat won. Maybe next year.

• Have you joined the Big Apple Facebook Group?

Keno:   You betcha.  I was member #3 and I’m on the Big Apple revitalization committee to put in Knacker’s proposed billboard and signs.

• Ahh the famous “Knackers Big Apple Proposal” – one of the highlights on the trip home!!! Now for the controversial story of the trip. Do you agree that Kenny stole KP’s seat? Or do you think both those midgets should always have to share a seat for all club bus rides? If I recall correctly you were named as the reason why Kenny was “forced” to steal KP’s seat.

Keno:  All I know is I didn’t steal anybody’s seat. The VC gets to sit anywhere he wants, that’s a given. Haven’t you been on any footy trips before KP? Haha, but that is a great suggestion. Those two whinging midgets definitely should be required to sit next to each other for any future trips. I think the whole situation could’ve been easily settled if Kenny had just traded his seat to KP for one of KP’s many unused safety helmets. That would’ve been a win-win. But hindsight’s 20/20.

BB: Totally agree – if you don’t weigh more than 45kgs(Canadian editor's note: that's 100lbs. Damn aussies.) you shouldn’t get two seats to yourself. Simple as that. Now jumping to the club Awards night celebrations. Did you win any of the 60s/70s/80s porn DVDs awarded on the club’s presentation night? And if so – what was it called?

Keno: I did, I think it was called roommates. I didn’t keep it. I think I gave it to one of the blues couples. I reckon they could use it to keep things “interesting.”  Jazza seemed pretty excited when the pornos were announced. Another positive to take away from the pornos, lot’s of inspiration for next year’s pre-season moustache bash. I bet the WAGs (wives and girlfriends) can’t wait for that.

BB: Suuuuuuure – I didn’t keep the porn DVD – I gave it to someone else… like anyone believes that crap. Seriously Keno – what do you take us for??? Now Coach Jmac won the club’s Leading Goal kicker award for 09. Do you recall in ANY of this season’s game the coach ever giving a handball? If so name the game. We’re pretty sure that guys like you, Junior and Jase have run past him plenty of times wide open screaming for the ball and the coach has decided he’s going for goal regardless of the fact he has 3 opposition defenders around him… it’s ok. The coach won’t read this.

Keno: You’re sure he won’t see this? Positive? Ok then…I don’t remember getting one handpass for him all year. Junior, Jase and I are always working our tail off running through and Jmac always just ignores us and goes for glory. If there was a Blues leading behinds kicker award, Jmac would run away with it I reckon.  He’s turned the blues into the Jmac show. This used to be a team. THIS USED TO BE A TEAM.

And the nicknames he gives out absolutely suck. Mustard? I still don’t get why I’m called Mustard?

BB: Wow Keno, some pent up emotions there mate! You didn’t walk away with too much silverware on the night – perhaps that might have something to do with it?? That’s not to say you didn’t get recognized. So let’s get this straight. At risk of causing your head to explode, in 2009 you were:

• Named Vice Captain for the Blues AFC
• Named BOG for two games for the 09 season for the Blues
• Named in the 2009 Northwind Squad
• Named in the OAFL All-Star starting line-up
• Finished 3rd overall in the OAFL’s Best & Fairest voting (The only Canadian player in the top 10 players!)Named BOG for the County Vs Metro game
  

Now humor us and the rest of your less celebrated teammates. Is it hard winning so many awards and accolades? Does it get boring after while?

Keno: You forgot 3rd in Blues B&F and I also came 2nd in the poker tourney but who’s keeping track. Haha…. Seriously, I’ve never played with the aim to win individual awards or accolades. You play for your mates and for your club. I won’t say they don’t mean anything because obviously it’s a great honor to be recognized by your peers (especially from the Blues Brothers) and it never gets boring. It’s always an honor and I never take it for granted.

BB: Folks - he wasn't kidding when he reminded us about finishing 3rd in the Blues BnF and 2nd in the Blues Poker Tournament. Speaking of honor, you travelled to Australia last August to compete in the International Cup representing Canada in the 16 team competition. How did you find the level of competiveness from the nations you competed against? Who were the best and worst countries you played against?

Keno: It was my first international cup so it was an eye-opening experience. Because footy is such a new sport in most parts of the world, there is huge variance in the quality of the sides in such a tournament. You had teams like New Zealand and Papa New Guinea who were clearly on another level and teams like China and India that were put together only months before.

The Canadian team played against Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Japan and Nauru.  The Irish were tough but best team that we played would be Nauru. I was impressed with their skills. Other than that, the rest of the teams we played against were pretty poor.  Japan was fast and quick but had no size. Sweden and Finland were both new entries and it showed as we beat them quite easily.

BB: Still think you just made the country of Nauru up mate… but let’s continue on.. Where in Australia did you visit? And how long did you spend at the Crown casino? Did you win any money?

Keno: We had games in Melbourne and in Warnambool. There was a bus trip along the Great Ocean Road to the 12 apostles. After the tournament, I spent a week in Sydney and Manly, visiting a high school friend of mine who lives there now. And was also able to catch up with former blues great Torrey Young while there. I can neither deny nor confirm that I spent some time at the Crown casino in Melbourne and/or Star City casino in Sydney.

BB: Did you bump into Brendan Fevola by any chance at the casino?

Keno:  Only briefly before I asked security to escort him out. He kept spilling my beer and kept screaming Jet Li, Jet Li, Jet Li. According to my sources, the coaching group turned down a Fev for Knackers trade offer. They didn’t want to give up the second best mark in the OAFL but also had some issues with his character. With such high character and upstanding gentlemen such as Lefty, Disco Stu, hotel bandit Andersen, Kitch, and Staples on board, it was thought Fev wouldn’t be a good fit as he’s liable to ‘lose his s**t’ and the Blues don’t condone  ‘losing their s**t.’  In fact, I heard Blues 5th quarter winner Daniel Andersen was such a choirboy on the footy trip that he slept for most it. Just a rumour I heard.  (BB, we need the dirt on this, get on it.)

BB: We’ll get right on that Keno. Why don’t you just play footy and leave the journalistic work to the professionals mate. We don’t need your advice on how to do our job… Anyways, one last question before we let you go. Are you also a hopeless romantic like Ewan ‘Obi’ Williams?

Keno: Yes, very much so.

BB: Haha – thanks for your time Keno and for being such a good sport. We love what you do for our footy club and look forward to many many many more years of service from possibly one the most exciting Canadian players in the OAFL.