Chapple a mighty tough act to follow

SUCCESSION planning is good when you live and work on a farm and in football.

Port Douglas Crocs’ captain Kye Chapple kicked his 100th goal of the season this week. It’s the third consecutive year he has achieved the feat.

Kye is clearly the premier forward of the competition, taking over from former Cairns Saints star Matt Walsh.

But it led me to wonder who will succeed Chapple, or if indeed someone can usurp him?

Manunda Hawks utility Ezekiel Frank comes to mind.

Frank spends much of his time in the ruck and playing as a tall wingman. Place him in front of goals, however, and there’s no reason the Northern Territory star couldn’t challenge Chapple next year.

■ WE’VE been keenly following the progress of team Papua New Guinea in recent weeks competing in the AFL’s International Cup in Victoria.

The side features three Far North Queenslander players – Manunda’s Willie Aisi, North Cairns’ Tyler Gorogo and Centrals Trinity Beach’s Gideon Simon – who have all performed well.

It’s also worth noting former Bulldog Brendan Beno is also playing for Papua New Guinea.

■ AFTER a first-round loss to a quality Irish outfit, Team PNG has bounced back with consecutive wins against the US and Nauru.

The tournament wraps up this weekend with Simon and Aisi set to slot back into their respective team’s sides for finals. Good luck, boys.

■ SOUTH Cairns Cutters have promoted youth in recent weeks but could a wily veteran make a surprise return for the finals?

Full-forward Paul Smith played in the Cutters 2015 grand final loss before taking up work opportunities in China.

He’s returned this year but battled calf injuries throughout the season.

Smith has played the last two games in the reserves and he is a proven goalkicker at senior level.

If Smith is fit, do the Cutters roll the dice and play him in the first final? Time will tell.

■ AFL Cairns’ Colts finals started last Friday and the standard of football being played at the junior level is exceptional. Cape York Eagles are the reigning premiers, blitzing through the competition last year.

But this year, the team to beat is Manunda who boast talent across the field. The players to watch for the remainder of the finals series are Eagles midfielders Brandon Jackonia and Myron Ahwang along with Hawks wingman Jake Staska who makes the game look so simple and bounds across the field.