HAMILTON - This year’s Labour Day game between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Toronto Argonauts wasn’t just about the bitter rivalry between the two clubs or the battle for a playoff spot.

It was also the story of two quarterbacks trying to re-establish themselves as premier quarterbacks in the Canadian Football League.

Toronto’s Kerry Joseph entered the game free from the shadow of back-up Michael Bishop, who had been dealt to Saskatchewan. And Hamilton QB Casey Printers was back after missing three games with a thumb injury; three games in which back-up pivot Richie Williams looked pretty good.

Ultimately, Joseph led his team to a 34-31 victory over the Ticats at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Monday night.

Joseph completed 18 of 33 pass attempts for 399 yards and one touchdown in the victory.

He was the league’s most outstanding player last year with Saskatchewan, but was dealt to Toronto in the off-season. Despite his credentials, he spent the first part of the 2008 season embroiled in a controversy over who should be the starting Argo quarterback; him or the talented Bishop. That argument was settled last week when Bishop was sent to the Roughriders.

“It’s good to know where you stand,” he said after the win. “It’s something that has been dealt with.”

Printers completed 12 of 22 pass attempts for 161 yards and threw for one touchdown. He also scrambled for 68 yards, including two touchdowns.

It was only his first touchdown pass of the season, something which critics have been on him about, but he said he’s never thought about it.

“Not at all,” he said. “I’m just out there playing the game. They’ll come.”