Recruits get Tigers revved up
Bullocking North Cairns full forward Paul Smith sounds like a car collector assessing his garage full of toys as he talks about the club’s shiny new fleet of recruits for 2018. Smith, who’s shed 15kg since the start of preseason, is no second-hand Kingswood himself, three seasons removed from a 100goal season with South Cairns Cutters and aiming to return to his best.
BULLOCKING North Cairns full forward Paul Smith sounds like a car collector assessing his garage full of toys as he talks about the club’s shiny new fleet of recruits for 2018.
Smith, who’s shed 15kg since the start of preseason, is no second-hand Kingswood himself, three seasons removed from a 100-goal season with South Cairns Cutters and aiming to return to his best.
But the tattooed larrikin is most excited about the meticulously recruited crop of talent hand-picked by coach Iaon Drake to complement standouts such as Crathern medallist Tom Clough and tall utility Heath Molloy.
“Drakey’s worked his arse off to find the players,” Smith said earlier this week.
“The thing I like about it is he’s taken his time and not only found quality players but great blokes.”
Returning to Watsons Oval is skilful midfielder Tom ‘TMac’ McCorkell, who will be joined by Ovens and Murray Football League star Tom McDonagh and Tasmanian Brad Joseph.
“T-Mac is a silky sort of player. He’s our Rolls-Royce who can cruise along and get a lot of the footy,” Smith enthused.
“Tom is pretty versatile. I think he’s kicked a lot of goals as a full-forward, then played as a centre half back and in the ruck. He’ll play where needed.
“Young Brad has a bit of grit about him. He’s super composed and versatile.”
In only his second year of senior football, McDonagh was one of Myrtleford’s most consistent players in 2017.
“He had a real breakout season last year so it’s disappointing we won’t have him with us,” Myrtleford coach Tim Looby said.
Drake said despite winning just three games last season – all against Cairns City Lions – finals football was the goal this year.
“If we continue to improve the way we are we’ll be knocking on the door to play finals football but at the same time we only won three games last year so you’ve got to be realistic about it,” Drake said.
“But I think there’s belief within our core group that have been around the last few years that we’re going to have a real crack.”
The Tigers trained on their main oval for the first time this preseason last week following an extensive upgrade of the ground’s surface. They’ll play Cairns City Lions at home under lights on Friday, March 23 in a stand-alone season opener. “It’s just fantastic,” Drake said.
IF WE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE WAY WE ARE WE’LL BE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR TO PLAY FINALS FOOTBALL BUT ... WE ONLY WON THREE GAMES LAST YEAR SO YOU’VE GOT TO BE REALISTIC ABOUT IT IAON DRAKE