Chance for AFL in FNQ to grab limelight

AFL Cairns: this is your big chance and time to shine. With the winter and spring of 2020 in FNQ to be dominated by Australia’s national code, now is not the time to squabble over a few dollars – capitalise on the massive opportunity the sport is presented with.

Things became heated between the Hawks' Michael Martyn and the Lion's Josh Taranto during the third quarter. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE.

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AFL Cairns: this is your big chance and time to shine.

With the winter and spring of 2020 in FNQ to be dominated by Australia’s national code, now is not the time to squabble over a few dollars – capitalise on the massive opportunity the sport is presented with.

The CDRL went way too early and called their season off, the Northern Pride aren't going to be in the headlines, there is no set date on when the Taipans will start their next campaign, and there is some doubt even if the home NBL games will be contested in Cairns.

Port's Brenddon Kazakoff and Saints' Christian Philpot.

Until the end of October, the local AFL competition is the big show in town and a serious chance for the local clubs and league to grow the game and take the sport to the next level.

Manunda's Alex Carter looks to gain field position. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE.

After a slight false start this week, it’s been decided a complete seven-team, 14-round campaign will be played, with a grand final at Cazalys Stadium at the end of October.

Local clubs Port Douglas and Manunda departed the meeting on Wednesday with a defeatist attitude around their financial ability to participate in the season.

Port Douglas’ playing stocks and sponsorship dollars have been decimated by the coronavirus impact while the Hawks were worried they would trade insolvent as a club if they were not aided by the rich AFL Cairns, which is backed by Cazalys Cairns Social Club, led by Reg Lillywhite.

Things changed quickly on Thursday morning and the mood shifted; everything will be ticked off in the next few days and the Hawks and Crocs will get what they need.

Manunda's Corey Flint kicked between the uprights all afternoon. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE.

More than anything, AFL Cairns’ directors missed the point – this is not about squabbling over a few thousand dollars, when there is millions in the bank, to hand to your clubs – it is about potentially one of the better seasons we will ever see in FNQ.

There are competitions falling over left, right and centre around Australia, meaning thousands of quality footballers will be without a league to play in this year.

As we see with former AFL players and high-level footballers, once they come to play in Cairns, they often do not leave.

The league is strong and well supported.

It would be excellent to see the Cazalys Cairns Social Club throw more cash at local clubs to see how many big fish they can land.

With all eyes on the sport in FNQ until October, it is an opportunity too big too miss.

Originally published as Chance for AFL in FNQ to grab limelight