Brinn can still grin

RUGGED Centrals Trinity Beach midfielder Josh Brinn has experienced both ends of the footy spectrum over the past 12 months.

In season 2017, the hardworking on-baller was regularly on the end of 300-point trouncings alongside his Cairns City Lions teammates, in a season he described as a positive learning experience.

After enduring one of the worst seasons in the history of AFL Cairns, the Centrals junior returned to his former club and will this week play in a final, just 365 days after being handed the wooden spoon.

The electrician by trade was happy to head to Holloways Beach and help out mates Bradley Wallace and Tobias Fatnowna after much of the playing group walked out over the summer.

“It was not fun getting beaten like that every week but you still appreciate football,” Brinn said. “You still enjoy it. It was tough but you are still playing with your mates.”

Brinn, who played over 150 games with the Bulldogs before crossing to City Lions, played his first final under Bulldogs coach Mick Seymour in 2009 and is excited to be back. Seymour says Brinn has provided plenty of hardness to his midfield with his defensive workrate.

“He is brave, he puts his head down and gets the job done,” Seymour said.

“It is great he has come back to the club. He has been tremendous for us this season.”