Bradley quickly proves a great buy

THE June 30 transfer deadline is always a fascinating time in any footy competition.

Port Douglas conducted some good business in the lead-up to the deadline, grabbing Tiwi Islander Bradley Palipuaminni.

The classy utility reached the 150th NTFL game milestone in late 2016 and was the first indigenous player to reach 50 games with Territory Thunder in the NEAFL.

Palipuaminni played 63 games in the black, white and ochre jumper.

From all reports he was handy in Port’s win over Cairns City Lions on Saturday.

Damian Payne back to Centrals Trinity Beach from the Murray Football League is also a solid move.

■ THE young Cape York Crusaders were impressive at the Under-14 Country Championships at Airlie Beach over the weekend.

The lads from the Cape won three of their four games, were defeated by Townsville, who won the championships, but beat both Cairns teams and Mackay.

The Crusaders played a really fast, attacking and physical game which led to their best under-14 Crusaders result for the last eight or so years.

Meun Lifu (New Mapoon), Shannon Shuan (Wujal Wujal), Alwyn Bond (New Mapoon), Daequan Connolly (Yarrabah), Enrico Miller (Napranum) and Tikiko Nayacadraudrau (Cairns) impressed for the Crusaders.

■ THE Chris Novy situation at North Cairns is certainly an intriguing one.

Novy is not playing with the Tigers at the minute and did not lodge a transfer to another club, despite rival AFL Cairns clubs asking the question in the days leading into the June 30 deadline.

He is in the North Queensland squad and was more than likely going to play in the game.

Can he still represent NQ even if he is not playing at club level? Probably not.

They need him down at Watsons Oval so hopefully he can return soon enough.