Cutters sharp against Saints
The South Cairns machine has clicked into top gear while fellow perennial AFL Cairns powerhouse, Cairns Saints, finds themselves on the outside looking in to the top four. The Cutters, last year’s beaten grand finalists, have notched early wins this season without reaching the heights of 2016 but took a step closer to that form as they belted Saints at home 17.14 (116) 5.7 (37) on Saturday afternoon.
THE South Cairns machine has clicked into top gear while fellow perennial AFL Cairns powerhouse, Cairns Saints, finds themselves on the outside looking in to the top four.
The Cutters, last year’s beaten grand finalists, have notched early wins this season without reaching the heights of 2016 but took a step closer to that form as they belted Saints at home on Saturday afternoon.
Except for periods of the third term at Griffiths Park, the visitors controlled the game, their swarming defence choking Saints as they took their chances whenever they went inside 50.
Saints playing-coach Tim Lamprill labelled the Round 6 fixture a “massive, massive game” and his troops failed to fire a shot in their first home game of 2017.
The loss, 5.7 (37) – 17.14 (116), is the second straight week Saints have been smashed, with Manunda doing the job last Saturday evening.
The Cutters’ deep midfield just worked away all afternoon with Hayden Pyke, Ryan Etherington, James Dixon and Jermaine Wardle all finding heaps of footy.
Playing-coach Cameron TOUGH GOING: Saints midfielder Cade Wellington looks to clear. Campbell, who kicked three goals, was a satisfied man after the win.
With full forward Paul Smith finding some form in the reserves, Jake Roach, Campbell, Michael Douglas, the miraculous Dwayne Bosen, Dixon and Wardle all kicked multiple goals for Cutters.
“It was probably our best performance of the year, it was a good effort despite the third quarter,” Campbell said.
“I think our workrate lifted, our midfield worked harder, they were really blowing themselves up and then rotating.
“We worked harder and stuck to our roles.
“Having James Dixon back for the second game really helped and Jake Roach coming back into the side provided good hands late in the game.”
Campbell quickly turned his club’s attention to the marquee grand final rematch this Saturday as they host Port Douglas for the first time since the 2016 decider.
Saints have now dropped three of their first five games of the 2017 campaign and sit fifth on the ladder with the Hawks lifted to fourth thanks to a higher percentage.
Lamprill battled hard as a lone key target, while Lachlan Poulter and Joey Morrison could hold their head up after pushing hard all game. Saints were without quality players Kieran Daley and Jack Philp for the loss to Cutters but should bounce back quickly as they host Cairns City Lions next Saturday. = average winning margin in AFL Cairns Seniors fixtures last weekend
Chapple was not alone in the rampage as Jesse Mawson, Todd Shapter, Mathew Medcraft and Kurt Bradshaw all ran riot on their home deck.
Cooper quickly turned their attention to the vital grand final rematch next Saturday afternoon against the in-form South Cairns.
“We are setting ourselves for it as of 5.30pm Saturday,” Cooper said.
“It is on our minds and we are looking forward to it.
“South are a pretty big task and we cannot wait to get down there and have a crack.”
Tobias Fatnowna and Robert Taranto were the Lions only goalkickers.
At Crathern Park, Centrals Trinity Beach continued their strong form, dismantling North Cairns, 25.20 (170) – 5.2 (32).
The Bulldogs southern recruits again shone as Tim McAuley and Jackson Williams shared in 12 goals for their third victory on the trot.
The Tigers kicked the first two goals of the game through Jamie Robinson and Repu Kris but could only find three more for the rest of the contest.