Bombers nursing ailments heading into Grey Cup

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This article was published 15/11/2023 (665 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HAMILTON — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers weren’t playing any tricks last week when they listed receivers Nic Demski and Rasheed Bailey as game-time decisions for the Western Final.

It went down to the wire for both.

“I honestly didn’t practice. I practised for 10 minutes last week,” said Demski during Wednesday’s Grey Cup media day. “I went out that morning on game day and felt good. I went there, did some stuff, and got the green light to go.”

“It was like the battle of my life,” said Bailey. “People can never question our heart. People can never question how hard we work. Was I 100 per cent out there? No. But for my teammates to see me out there and give everything that I had, that means a lot to me and that’s all I care about. And when you’re in those positions, other guys have to step up, and that’s what makes this team so special.”

Demski finished with three catches for 37 yards, Bailey had two targets but no grabs. Even though the stats say otherwise, their presence made a difference in the team’s 24-13 win over the B.C. Lions as the Bombers were already shorthanded without No. 1 target Dalton Schoen.

“Acupuncture, yoga sessions, massage therapy, this is what it takes. People see you put the uniform on, and they see you out there, but there’s so much more to it,” said Bailey.

“You put your body on the line, you put your heart on the line.”

Demski (ankle) and Bailey (knee) did not practice Wednesday. Schoen (ankle) also remains sidelined and is in danger of missing Sunday’s Grey Cup showdown in Hamilton against the Montreal Alouettes.

“I feel a whole lot better than I did last week. A whole lot better,” said Bailey. “A lot more rest, and I’m excited to get back out there. By the time Sunday comes, I’m going to be at my best. When you come to the Grey Cup, you get a lot more opportunities to take care of your body a lot more because everything is accessible to you right now. The pools, the therapy, all types of stuff is available for us. It’s important.”

Demski: “I feel good. It’s obviously still day-to-day and we’re going to see where it goes, but I definitely feel good. We’re going in the right direction.”

Castillo not worried about recent misfires

Sergio Castillo did not look like Sergio Castillo in the Western Final.

He connected on field goals from 29, 11 and 35 yards out, but missed attempts from 46 and 34 yards which could’ve proved costly.

He ended on a high as his final make came with 3:10 remaining to give the Bombers a 24-13 advantage over the Lions.

“I had a great kick to finish the game and that’s all I can focus on. That 35-yarder at the end to put us up by two possessions was good. I’m like a goldfish, I’ve already forgotten about that game to be honest,” said Castillo.

Despite what happened last weekend, the kicker from Amarillo, Texas, has proven he can get it done on the big stage. At the 2021 Grey Cup — which was also played in Hamilton — Castillo had the game of his life and went five-for-five on FGs in a thrilling 33-25 overtime win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“For me, I’m just trying to embrace everything. I really haven’t thought about the game. I’m present here with you right now. For the first time not just in my career, but life, I’m present where my two feet are at,” said Castillo.

“I’m just right here, right now in the moment and I think that’s what’s been able to give me confidence heading into the game. I’m not worrying about the game fix, six days before.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

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Taylor Allen
Reporter

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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