Challenge Cup proves a winner
THE North Queensland Challenge has been strongly endorsed after Port Douglas lifted the inaugural cup as the Crocs warmed up for their chase of an AFL Cairns threepeat.
Billed as the curtain-raiser to the Gold Coast Suns and North Melbourne clash at Cazalys, the NQ Challenge Cup game was moved across town to the redeveloped Watsons Oval due to the wet conditions at AFL Cairns headquarters on Saturday afternoon.
The change of venue did not concern the twice defending premiers of the Far North as the Crocs pulled away from their Townsville opponents, Hermit Park, in the final term after they challenged in the third.
The damp conditions limited scoring opportunities as the Crocs claimed a comfortable 10.11 (71) – 4.2 (26) victory.
Hermit Park, who were outclassed, featured a handful of players from other AFL Townsville clubs as they are keen to impress North Queensland representative coach Brad Cooper, who doubles as the Crocs’ mentor.
Cooper said the club got what they needed out of the contest as they prepare for Round 1 against South Cairns on Friday in Port Douglas.
“I think it is a good concept, playing against a Townsville club,” Cooper said. “It would have been nice to play on Cazalys Stadium but the AFL obviously made that call.”
Tigers interim coach Brennan Gibson hopes the NQ Challenge Cup will be played again between the two premiership clubs from the regions.
“We love it, the concept is a great idea,” Gibson said.
“I have not seen our guys this excited for a game of football for a long while.”
Brand new Croc Brett Meredith, who was previously on the Sydney Swans list, brought his own footy in the first half as he looked a class above.
Meredith was awarded the match ball as the Crocs’ best in the win.
The Crocs were without a number of their premiership players for the preseason contest but regulars like Josh Lea, Adam Gross and Mitch Bohm were busy in the wet conditions.
Without skipper Kye Chapple, Epping recruit Daniel Moore provided a big target inside 50 and showed signs he and Chapple will form a strong partnership in 2018.
Daniel Davidson played his first senior game and did not look out of place after dominating junior competitions in Cairns in recent seasons.
Former Gold Coast Sun and Townsville Blackhawk Josh Hall featured for the Tigers as he put his hand up for NQ selection later this year.