3 takeaways from Montreal, Edmonton's Friday practices

The Edmonton Elks and Montreal Alouettes deployed opposite strategies Friday when it came to their final full practices of the season in preparation for the 113th Grey Cup.

On Friday morning, Edmonton held a closed practice —with no cameras and no reporters — at McMahon Stadium, a day after the Als did the same.

"I'd close them all if I could,” Kilam said. “That’s just me. In the regular season, we rarely close practice. Maybe Labour Day is the only time we do."

BROTHERLY LOVE

Jalen Philpot sat in the stands on Friday watching his brother Tyson and the Montreal Alouettes practice ahead of the 113th Grey Cup (Thomas Skrlj/CFL.ca)

On Friday afternoon, the Alouettes opened the gates for family, friends and media alike under sunny skies without a hint of wind.

Tyson Philpot’s family — including twin brother Jalen, sister Kaitlyn and mom Colleen — sat in stands near centre field behind the player bench.

”It’s bittersweet,” Jalen, a receiver for the Calgary Stampeders, said while Tyson ran routes and caught passes from Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander. “If it's not me, I'm glad it's him.

“We went to university here, so for him to get to practice here and he got in his old locker and stuff like that? I’m sure he’s feeling super at home and comfortable. I’m happy for him.”

After the Als — who held a closed practice on Thursday — broke their final huddle, Tyson ran straight to his family for a quick catch-up.

“This practice felt a little more special, knowing that they're here supporting,” Tyson said. “And then it's going to be for all the marbles on Sunday. So I’m just excited to put on a show.”

Tyson is widely expected to put on a show. After all, he led the league this season in receptions (124), receiving yards (1,809) and receiving touchdowns (13, shared with teammate Tyler Snead) en route to being named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian.

“On Sunday, we'll be sitting over in section B,” Jalen said. “We're gonna be cheering, loud, excited, and hoping for a couple touchdowns from Tyson in that end zone and a nice MOP.”

MAKING HIS OLD TEAM PAY?

Edmonton wide receiver Austin Mack and head coach Mark Kilam chatted with the media after the Elks’ closed practice.

Once again, Mack fielded a question on whether he wants to make his former team, the Alouettes, pay for releasing him after the 2025 Grey Cup loss to Saskatchewan.

"About the 100th time we got that question," Mack replied. “When you're removed, is there a little bit more motivation to be able to beat that person or that team? I mean, of course.”

But Mack is clearly growing a bit tired of the storyline.

“More than anything, I don't care,” he said. “You're in the Grey Cup. Maximize this week, have no regrets and try to come out on top.”

Mack has spent much of the week passing on what he hopes are sage words of advice to the younger players in the Edmonton locker room who are playing in the Grey Cup for the first time.

“A lot of my message has been, it’s a lot of media, it's pulling guys around, it's being out of routine," Mack said. "Don't get outside of your comfort zone. Don't do anything different. That's been the priority. Don't eat McDonald's all week, you know what I mean?

“Try and eat good food, try and stay in routine, get good sleep, and just stay on top of things.”

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING

Seeing the friends and family of his teammates in the stands got Montreal linebacker Alexandre Gagne thinking about what really matters heading into Grey Cup weekend.

Gagne was expecting his dad, his brother, his wife and his two boys, Hayden and Georges, to touch down in Calgary on Friday night.

“It means everything,” he said. “It’s just perfect to be able to live the season with them and be able to have them here with me. It just means the world."

Hayden is 13, and he started playing football last year — at linebacker, of course, just like his dad.

“He’s started to really enjoy what I’m doing and really understand what I’m doing,” Gagne said.

His younger son Georges is only three.

“We take so many pictures, also because I want my youngest to be able to remember it,” he said. “Maybe I'll play long enough so he'll be able to remember a little bit more.

“Of course kids are talking about it in school, and they know that he's coming here. So I think he realizes it more and more every year.”

And that’s part of the magic of the Grey Cup. Every player understands, at some level, that Sunday’s game will be talked about for years to come. Football fans will reminisce about this game and tell their children and grandchildren, 'Remember when….'

“I told the guys next time we're on this field it'll be for all the marbles, and we won't leave until we're champions,” Tyson Philpot said. “So everyone's gonna visualize that, and when we get to step out here on Sunday, we'll be ready to go.”