TORONTO – Quebec veteran Kristian Matte couldn’t be better positioned to enjoy the Alouettes’ qualification to the next Gray Cup final. He had been waiting for this moment for 13 years.
The 38-year-old offensive lineman was in the Montreal organization back in 2010, when the Alouettes last appeared in the Finals. However, as a rookie, he played a backup role.
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“When you go to the Gray Cup in your first year, you think that’s going to happen a lot, but that’s not true,” Matte said after the Alouettes’ 38-17 victory over the Argonauts in the Eastern final on Saturday in Toronto. I’m really enjoying it at the moment.”
“The only message I can give to other players is not to take anything for granted because you never know when the next time will be,” he added, pointing out that there are a lot of new signings this season the Alouettes gives. You really have to seize it and take advantage of it when you get there.”
A bunch of neglected players
Matte, who is originally from St-Hubert, agrees that the current edition of the team is special and in particular consists of rejected or neglected players.
“A few weeks ago it was Cody [Fajardo] “Who said we were a group of underdogs, guys that other teams didn’t want,” he mentioned, recounting the team’s quarterback’s comments. It’s something special that such chemistry is created.”
“It was fun for me to say this year that we were like toys that no one wanted (underdog toys), Fajardo confirmed at a press conference. There are several players on this team, myself included, who were rejected by another club before arriving here.
End on a good note
While Matte is enjoying the moment, he is already focused on the next challenge, which is beating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in next Sunday’s grand final in Hamilton.
“It is a story that is not yet over,” emphasized the Quebecer. We can’t wait to continue this week and finish this season with a good result.”
For Matte, he doesn’t think about it, but winning the Gray Cup would undoubtedly be an exceptional end to his long career with the Alouettes.