FNQ AFL clubs rally against ‘mickey mouse cup’

Presented with two different options about what the AFL Cairns 2020 season structure will be, local clubs are ready to vote together to stick with tradition this week.

Cairns City Lions playing Cairns Saints at Holloways Beach sporting complex. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN.

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AFL Cairns clubs will strongly push to play a 14-round season plus finals when league officials, team presidents and coaches meet this week to ratify what the 2020 campaign will look like.

Two proposals have been put to senior clubs for the abbreviated campaign: play each other once before finals, or play every club home and away before launching into the post-season.

The plan to play just six games before a finals series has been laughed at by some clubs, believing the competition would be a “mickey mouse cup” and would lack serious buy-in from teams and players.

Some clubs also feel that a premiership must be awarded, to go along with a Crathern Medal and Matt Walsh goalkicking trophy, if a 14-game campaign is to be ticked off.

First-year South Cairns president Heath Black was strong on the need for major awards to be handed out after a 14-week season.

South Cairns’ Shaun Ayling and Port Douglas’ Jesse Mawson. PICTURE: ANNA ROGERS.

“Everyone is keen on the 14-round season and try and keep it as traditional as possible,” Black said.

“That is what we are pushing, in talks with other clubs, most are on the same page so hopefully we can go ahead with it on Wednesday night.

“The other option is a waste of time, we either need to go hard as we can to have a proper season or do nothing at all … seven games would be pointless.

“We would like things to stay as normal as can be, which includes the major awards.”

Reigning premiers Port Douglas are adamant a 14-round season plus finals needed to be played this year.

Wayne Sharkie, entering his second campaign at the helm of Trinity Beach, says he will be guided by his playing group.

“Most guys will want to play as normal a season as possible, I would think,” Sharkie said.

“Six weeks is just a round-robin, it might be hard to get players excited about that short a season.

“For me, it is all about the players, they have had their lives and work impacted by this shutdown, I will listen to what they want to do.”

Lions' Ryan Villalba and Saints' Oakley Wallace. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN.

Clubs are permitted to conduct training with up to 60 people – in three groups of 20 – at the same venue, contact training remains banned, at this stage, until July 10.

The seniors season may need to run into November, depending on what is decided on Wednesday night, with ground availability up in the air around local and international cricket.

DECISION TIME

AFL Cairns was forced to suspend the 2020 season in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

They will meet with club presidents and coaches this Wednesday to discuss the format of the 2020 season.

The plans:

7-week season: play each other once, which will include a bye, before finals.

14-week season: play every club home and away, include two byes, and may include midweek games to cut down the length of the season, before finals.

Originally published as FNQ AFL clubs rally against ‘mickey mouse cup’