Both coaches disappointed by the execution of basic skills Cutters rule in scrappy scuffle
THERE will be a clear focus on skills, by hand and foot, at Fretwell Park and Cazalys Stadium training sessions this week.
The AFL Cairns Round 2 contest between South Cairns and Manunda was riddled with poor skill execution by both sides on Saturday afternoon.
Coaches, Cameron Campbell and Marc Harbrow, bemoaned their clubs’ lack of execution after the game, which the Cutters won comfortably, 8.12-60 – 17.13-115.
The Hawks fought hard in the opening term against the infamous Cazlays Stadium breeze but failed to capitalise in the second quarter when they had the wind advantage.
After that, the Cutters powered on 10 goals to four in the second half to seal their second win of 2017. Last year’s beaten grand finalists, the Cutters again received an even contribution but Campbell said they needed to be sharper.
“We are happy to come away with a win but we did not put a good game together,” Campbell said.
“It was poorly skilled and we turned the footy over a hell of a lot, we cannot do that against the best sides.
“Manunda’s pressure around the midfield was good, they are good at running forward of the footy.”
David Welch and Keanu Nona were busy for Cutters while Dwayne Bosen booted three goals.
The second massive win of the season lifted Cutters to the top of the ladder after two completed rounds.
There were some good signs for the youthful Hawks as Ezekiel Frank showed flashes while Corey Flint, Duncan Seden and Ryan Flint were influential in stages. But Harbrow did not mince his words after the Hawks’ second loss.
“I am very disappointed skill-wise and work rate,” Harbrow said. “The way we played was the complete opposite of the way we train.
“We need to work harder at running both ways.
THE WAY WE PLAYED WAS THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF THE WAY WE TRAIN
“A lot of times we missed simple handballs.”
At Watsons Oval, North Cairns Tigers took it up to Cairns Saints in the early stages before Saints skipped away to win.
Tigers trailed by just four points at quarter-time with Gary Williamson, Scott Rowe and Tom Clough busy early.
After a first-up defeat to Port Douglas, Saints found their feet after quarter-time as they booted 13 goals to four over the final three terms.
Playing-coach Tim Lamprill made his first appearance of 2017 with three majors while Jesse Dixon chipped in with three also for Saints.