PREVIEW OF OUR AFL STARS

DON’T try and tell North Cairns vice-captain Anthony Stewart that the Tigers will be at the foot of the AFL Cairns ladder again in 2017.

The Tigers battled last season and did not register a win but after a positive summer with strong numbers on the track at Watsons Oval and a few quality recruits, the club has an air of optimism.

The Tigers host first-up losers Cairns Saints in their opening game of the season at Watsons Oval tomorrow.

Stewart, who spent time with NEAFL club Redland, believes the Tigers can play finals this season.

“As a group, we have tried to set some realistic expectations for ourselves,” Stewart said. “We also have a few handy recruits coming in which will help.

“If we did not win three, four or five games this season, we would be disappointed.

“We believe we can do that and, in fact, we believe we can make the top four. We never really lost faith as a group and coach Iaon Drake has worked his butt off over the off-season.”

The 2015 Crathern Medal winner Tom Clough returns to the black and gold after a strong season in the Top End with Waratah while Scott Rowe (Kilsyth) and Chris Novy (Claremont) also land at the redeveloped Watsons Oval.

“It was a rough trot last year but to bring in guys like Tom Clough and a couple of others will spur us on, it has brightened things up at Tigerland,” Stewart said.

“Clough is a great player and a great bloke, he will fit in well.

“Last year was pretty tough but credit to Drakey and the footy club, the last four months or so on the track has been solid. No one has lost faith, considering the results we had last year, the numbers have been great.”

Drake is backing Stewart, who played just seven games in 2016, for a big campaign.

“He is a great young bloke,” Drake said.

The Tigers home, Watsons Oval, received a large funding injection to upgrade the ground with their first light tower being erected late last week.

In other Round 2 games, Port Douglas host Centrals Trinity Beach while South Cairns play Manunda.

Meanwhile, Cairns City Lion Joshua Taranto following the Round 1 contest against South Cairns at Holloways Beach Sporting Club.

Based on the umpire’s report, it was the view of the Match Review Panel that the incident should be classified as intentional, low impact and high contact.

This incident has been referred to the tribunal, which is due to be held on Tuesday, March 28.