CUTTERS ON THE RISE
THE Manunda Hawks are confident the wheels are not falling off their premiership defence, with coach Kareena White optimistic a win is just around the corner.
The Hawks were undefeated for much of the 2017 season but have dropped two games in recent weeks, highlighted by a defeat to South Cairns on Saturday, when they went down by 16 points.
Hawks playing-coach White, who has regained the role in recent weeks after Tyson Lane stepped down, is enjoying the challenge of coaching the reigning premiers.
“We are putting a bit more of the onus on the players. We have a lot of leaders on the field and we are trying to use that,” White said.
“As a coach, I can’t be everywhere during a game so hopefully we can rely on each other as leaders.”
Cutters continued their strong form in the back end of the season, with Jocelyn Bowditch, Rosie Parsons and Isa Matthew standouts in the victory over Hawks.
“We have had a few changes recently and I think we had an off game on the weekend against South,” White said.
“Cutters played very well and all our games this year have been close against them.”
At Watsons Oval, North Cairns’ Judy Duck was the star as she booted six goals in a matchwinning performance.
Duck had kicked just two goals prior to Round 13 in season 2017 but she turned it on as the Tigers cruised past Centrals Trinity Beach by 87 points.
In the penultimate round of the season, Cutters will play Bulldogs at Fretwell Park this Saturday before the Tigers host the Hawks.
WE HAVE A LOT OF LEADERS ON THE FIELD AND WE ARE TRYING TO USE THAT
South Cairns 0.1-1 2.3-15 4.5-29 5.7-37 Manunda 2.0-12 3.1-19 3.2-20 3.3-21 SOUTH CAIRNS Goal Kickers: M. Stephen 2, J. Bowditch, V. Torrisi, I. Matthew Best Players: J. Bowditch, R. Parsons, I. Matthew, K. Banu, J. Nash MANUNDA Goal Kickers: S. Mooka, K. White, A. Weber Best Players: M. Kelly, T. Sparks, K. Wright-Ross, L. Benjamin, T. O’Bree, A. Naden North Cairns 3.8-26 6.9-45 9.12-66 13.16-94 Centrals TB 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0-6 NORTH CAIRNS Goal Kickers: J. Duck 6, H. Nicholson 2, S. Kris 2, C. Bosuen 2, M. Healey Best Players: J. Duck, S. Kris, L. Healey, F. Mori, C. Nicholson CENTRALS TB Goal Kickers: R. Nandy Best Players: E. Grahame, B. Lancaster, C. Oxlade, A. Borgas, E. Egan, E. Hoad