Motlop denies tilt at NTFL

NEW Pyramid Power coach Mark Motlop has his focus on AFL Cairns, but his old competition is still keeping an eye on the premiership-winning NTFL coach.

Last week Motlop denied he was an applicant for the vacant St Mary’s coaching role.

“I’ve heard the same thing, but no one has contacted me,’’ he said.

“If something like the Saints did come up and I was approached I might consider it.’’

■ AFL Cairns premiership defender Declan Kelly made a heartwarming return to football in Victoria at the weekend after there were some doubts he would play again.

The Port Douglas Crocs are without Kelly, arguably the best centre half-back in the Far North, this season after the much-loved figure around the club suffered a nasty injury to his eye before Christmas.

The workplace accident left him blind in one eye, but that has not stopped him pulling on the boots, turning out for Dalyston in the West Gippsland Football Competition.

■ MANUNDA Hawk Alex Davies put his best foot forward at the division two AFL Under-16 championships earlier this month in Blacktown.

He kicked two goals and was named among the best in Queensland’s loss to Tasmania.

Tasmania, Queensland, NSW-ACT and the Northern Territory will compete for the title over three rounds.

■ SAINTS junior Caleb Graham was an emergency for the Allies against Victoria Metro in the under-18 national championships game at Southport’s home at Fankhauser Reserve last Saturday.

There will be some smiling faces at Metricon Stadium if Graham is not selected in the Allies squad because the less exposure the Suns academy defender gets, the less the Suns will need to give up for him come draft time.