LIONS LOSE PRIDE IN SAVAGE LOSS
CAIRNS City Lions hedged their bets and were made to pay on a dirty day at Griffiths Park as Cairns Saints put up a cricket score against their undermanned rivals.
The Lions on the paddock tried hard throughout the match but were simply missing too many standout players on a dreary Saturday afternoon, going down 30.20 (200) to 3.3 (21).
The Holloways Beach side fielded a dozen players aged between 15 and 19 against the best team in the competition, with the club saving its FIFO stars for its annual Dreamtime by the Sea fixture against North Cairns Tigers next week.
In a further blow for the bottom-placed side, star player-coach Aaron Davey was forced to spectate from the sidelines with a calf injury.
“It was an extremely tough day at the office,” Davey said.
“Saints’ ball movement was outstanding but at the same time, that was the youngest side we’ve had all season.
“After a day like that, it’s pretty hard to find positives. They’re an awesome team, that’s why they’re undefeated.”
Davey said he expected a smorgasbord of former AFL and NTFL talent to fly in for the Lions match next week.
“(Former Essendon Bomber) Alwyn, myself, (Port Adelaide’s) Shannon Motlop, (Darwin Buffaloes’) Tim Eldridge, Eddie Sainsbury, who used to play for North Melbourne, (Melbourne Demons’) Austin Wonaeamirri and potentially (NTFL star) Josh Saveka at full-back. So possibly seven good ‘ins’ back into the side,” he said.
If Cairns City were going to struggle, Saints had little interest in showing any compassion, kicking 14 majors in the first half to set up their massive win.
“It doesn’t matter who we’re playing we still like to stick to our process,” Saints midfielder Joel Newman said.
“In the first half we were probably a little bit selfish whereas in the second half we probably played a bit more of a team game.”
In a match where full-forward Todd Eltringham kicked 10 goals for the home team, Tasmanian Cameron Johns was arguably best-on-ground setting up play across halfback with his trusty right boot.
“He’s silky, the big unit,” Newman said of the red-headed recruit. “He’s a very good player and a good bloke as well.
“The way he moves around the ground is fantastic and the way he picks the ball up without even looking like he’s bending over is very clean.”
Davey said he rated Saints as premiership favourites after their handsome win.
“They’re certainly the form team of the competition,” he said.
“You can’t disregard Port Douglas. Both those teams are great with the way they move the footy and play for each other.”
Saints play Manunda Hawks next Saturday in a twilight clash at Cazalys.
“Hawks obviously know that ground well,” Newman said.
“It’s a lot bigger than our ground but you can’t win a grand final without winning at Cazalys, so we’re looking forward to it.”