AFL Cairns: Tigers beat Hawks for first win in more than four years
It’s been about four years since the North Cairns seniors won their last game, but that changed Saturday night.
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North Cairns punters could hardly believe their eyes.
For the first time in 1510 days, the final siren at Watsons Oval heralded victory for the Tigers – a 10.9 (69) to 10.7 (67) win.
Senior players were joined by their fellow reserve and women’s counterparts – as well as club members – on the grounds to celebrate a victory long in the making.
“It’s great for the club people, it means more to them – the people that put in all the work here,” North Cairns coach Jason Tom said after the game.
“To see what it means to them, that’s what made me feel good.”
The match was a rollercoaster for Norths, who were goalless in the first and third quarter.
However, a seven major spree in the second gave the Tigers the boost they needed.
Darcy Keast and Bradley Stokes had the Hawks working hard on every entry inside 50.
They were helped by excellent work in the centre by an experienced Ryan Cunningham and Boe Collins.
Cunningham’s lone goal in the game turned out to be a huge one late in the fourth quarter to put the Tigers on top of the Hawks.
An energised start from Manunda quickly fluttered away in a Tigers heavy second term.
After halftime – and a frank talking to from Hawks coach Peter Leonard – the team came out firing in the second led by a bullish Troy Barbero through the centre.
His physicality was equalled by the speed of Corey Flint, who belted five goals to give Norths all they could handle on the forward line.
However – much like his team – Tom’s ability to handle the contested mark held his team in good stead in a nailbiting final quarter.
“We were really in control for that second quarter, but I think they were the better team in the second half,” he said.
“We just found a way, got that goal and won.”
There were many misty eyes at Tigerland after a victory that’s come after years of struggles for the club.
Long time Tiger Dillon Rogers was one such player who could hardly contain his emotion after seasons of anguish.
“It’s been a long time, it’s been a really long time,” he said.
“I didn’t think it would happen, so it’s great.”
A streak of another kind was in danger two blocks over, as the Cairns Saints gave the Cairns City Lions a run for their money at Griffiths Park.
The 2021 grand final rematch had the home team serve an eight-goal uppercut to the Lions in the opening quarter led by who else, but Adam Gross who walloped eight of his own majors.
However, the reigning premiers dug deep and relied on their deep midfield led by Jake Long, Tom Lindemayer and Brandon Deslandes.
In the end, that was enough to edge the Lions over the top 13.11 (89) to 13.5 (83).
In a battle for second place, the Crocs unleashed a second half barrage on the Cutters to cruise to a 16.19 (115) to 8.12 (60) victory.
The game was not without controversy however, with Crocs player Josh Mawson suffering a nasty head injury after colliding with South Cairns player coach Brad Johansen.
Play was stopped for a number of minutes as tempers boiled over from both sides.
Port Douglas Swiss Army knife Liam Brandt headlined the many entries his side had in their kicking frenzy, as the on baller establishes another Crathern medal worthy season.
Saints stave off a the hungry Lions
Much like a cat, the Cairns Saints continue to make liberal use of their nine lives.
The side’s latest heart-stopping conquest came in the form of a 4.5 (29) to 3.5 (23) thriller against the Cairns City Lions.
The Lions held momentum for much of the contest, until one fourth quarter goal, paired with a crucial clearance from Saints’ tall midfielder Tiarna Ahwang saw the Saints escape the clutches of defeat once again.
“I think it’s the sign of a really good player when you can be flat for a quarter and then just turn around and light the game on fire,” Saints coach Jonah Lafferty said.
“They stood up to some really serious pressure, the Lions brought so much pressure today and the girls stood up to it so I’m really proud of them.”
“That’s one thing we’ve been doing each week … I’ve had to ask for our players to stand up and win us the game in the last quarter,” Lafferty said.
“Our superstars – T (Ahwang), Grace Perry, Kate Wheaton and at three quarter time I said out leaders were too flat, and we needed more from them and, god didn’t they do what we needed them to in that last quarter.”
Cairns City pulled out to an early lead, thanks to the brief return of Mya Cozzuol, who is playing for the Southport Sharks in the QAFLW.
“She was quality in there for us,” Lions coach Brodie Deverell said.
“It shows why she moved down south to improve her football and she showed that in the game.”
A stingy Lions midfield made life tough for Wheaton and the Saints on their limited entries.
However, the half forward managed to score two key goals that gave the Saints hope they could escape another tight game.
Later in round 8, the Manunda Hawks left the North Cairns Tigers scoreless in the second half en route to a 12.5 (77) to 2.1 (13) win.
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Originally published as AFL Cairns: Tigers beat Hawks for first win in more than four years
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