Tigers need work, not help: Giffard

NORTH Cairns coach Tait Giffard insists his club do not need help from AFL Cairns to end their four years of woe on the field, declaring hard work is what the Tigers need.

Following some promising recruiting over the summer at Watsons Oval, there was plenty of optimism around the club leading into 2018 but the Tigers dropped off in the back end of the campaign.

The Tigers were held to just one goal on Saturday afternoon against Cairns Saints, beaten by 212 points, their ninth defeat of the season by more than 100 points.

After Cairns City Lions’ disastrous 2017 season where they almost folded, AFL Cairns stepped in and helped install former Melbourne Demon Aaron Davey at Holloways Beach and the Lions are on the way back now.

Since 2014, Lions have won seven more games than North Cairns over the five seasons, with the 2017 season the outlier.

Giffard (pictured), who will return to a playing capacity next season and step down as coach, says Watsons Oval has been a tough place to play footy over the last few years but says he does not want to rely on assistance from league headquarters.

“I do not think our club’s future will rely on us getting a hand from AFL Cairns,” Giffard said.

“It would be helpful to get a hand but our future will rest on hard work and commitment.

“We need more of that than what we currently get, more people around our club.

“Our lack of volunteers is something that hurts us more than on-field results.

“Our issue is our culture because we do not have many people around the club anymore and that kills atmosphere.

“It is fixable, it is a tough place to be around at times but we have a bit of work to do.”

From their season opening win over Lions in March, North Cairns have lost senior players Paul Smith, Chris Novy, David Nash, Tom Mcdonagh, among other contributors, for a variety of reasons.

On the field, first-gamer Callan Hampton kicked the Tigers lone goal.

For Saints, experienced midfielder Jack Philp floated forward and booted 11 goals while fellow on-baller Cade Wellington also kicked six.

Defender Cameron Johns also found heaps of footy for Saints as they now look towards Port Douglas next Saturday with the winner crowned minor premier of the 2018 season.