Battle still on for last finals berth
IT ONLY gets harder from here for the Manunda Hawks but coach Marc Harbrow is proud his charges are finally starting to play the way he knows they can.
The brown and gold made it three wins on the bounce on Saturday afternoon, the second week in a row they have defeated a side that is also in the hunt for the fourth slot on the ladder.
For the time being, Manunda occupy the last September position, as they are ahead of City Lions on percentage, but if the Hawks are to claim fourth spot, they are going to have to earn it the hard way.
They travel across town to Griffiths Park this Saturday before finishing the campaign at Fretwell Park.
With Centrals Trinity Beach and City Lions having an easier run home, Harbrow knows only two victories to finish the home and away season will return Manunda to the finals after missing out in 2018.
“The boys have finally clicked into gear. We have played very well the last two weeks,” Harbrow said.
“We are aware we need to win every game to give ourselves an opportunity and that starts with Saints this weekend.
“We are playing with a nothing-to-lose attitude as it is do or die for us every week now.
“The way we played on Saturday, with quick hands and movement of the footy, they were outstanding and everything we have worked on at training is starting to pay off.”
Key position talent Ezekiel Frank booted a big bag of goals in the win for Hawks, while ruckman Jarryd Flint and onballer Chris Novy were also influential.
At Holloways Beach, while the Lions are currently outside the finals picture, their upset victory over Saints may be crucial in a few weeks’ time.
Lions had lost their last two matches but turned the tables on Saints, upsetting the thirdplaced club, led by a six-goalto-two third term that broke the game open.
To complete Round 16, South Cairns kept North Cairns goalless.
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SENIORS Manunda Hawks 5.3 (33) 11.9 (75) 14.11 (95) 21.15 (141) Centrals TB 4.2 (26) 5.3 (33) 9.7 (61) 12.9 (81) South Cairns 7.6 (48) 11.16 (82) 20.27 (147) 34.32 (236) North Cairns 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 (1) SOUTH CAIRNS Goal Kickers: J. Dixon 9, D. Lock 7, P. Smith 4, N. Teale 2, J. Panopoulos 2, L. Smith 2, R. Etherington, J. Wardle, J. Roach, L. Anning, D. Skeene, P. Na’awi, D. Welch, C. Campbell Best Players: J. Roach, I. Ketchen, D. Dewis, C. Campbell, D. Skeene, S. Damon Cairns City Lions 3.3 (21) 6.5 (41) 12.8 (80) 17.12 (114) Cairns Saints 1.2 (8) 3.4 (22) 5.4 (34) 6.8 (44) CAIRNS CITY LIONS Goal Kickers: T. Rainbird 4, G. Braico 2, L. Woodcock-Nowlan 2, D. Ferreira 2, T. Mooka 2, T. Lindenmayer, B. Deverell, B. Lovell, M. Dotoi Best Players: L. WoodcockNowlan, S. Connelly, T. Mooka, N. Johnson, A. Davey, K. Thompson CAIRNS SAINTS Goal Kickers: D. Holding 2, J. O’Halloran, R. McCall, C. Wellington, J. Whately Best Players: A. Davey, R. Fielding, R. McCall, J. Philp, C. Wellington, M. Horne RESERVES Manunda Hawks 2.1 (13) 5.1 (31) 7.7 (49) 10.9 (69) Centrals Trinity Beach 2.1 (13) 5.4 (34) 5.4 (34) 7.7 (49) MANUNDA HAWKS Goal Kickers: S. Davis 3, T. Fatnowna 2, D. Whap 2, D. Loftus, B. Halter, D. Teasdale Best Players: D. Yunupingu, S. Sagiba, D. Whap, S. Davis, D. Peirce, T. Clough
THE BOYS HAVE FINALLY CLICKED INTO GEAR. WE HAVE PLAYED VERY WELL THE LAST TWO WEEKS.