CRICKET KEY IN MEDAL WIN Cutters ruckman Roach wins Crathern but eyes premiership
ASHES PLAYER RATINGS CANNON CAPS BIG SEASON SAINTS FLY INTO DECIDER
AFL CAIRNS EVEN with the 2019 Crathern Medal bouncing around his neck, Jake Roach still could not get cricket out of his mind.
One of the top all-rounders in the local Cricket Far North competition, as well as a Queensland representative, Roach likes his footy.
But, he most certainly loves his cricket more so.
When you win the AFL
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Cairns best and fairest medal, it leads to photos, many conversations and slaps on the back, but the South Cairns ruck man had one eye on the exit door as soon as the medal was around his neck.
He was not being disrespectful to the top individual AFL honour in the Far North, the Cutters big man was desperate to get home and watch
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The Ashes on TV.
His Crathern Medal breakthrough triumph was inspired by the summer sport, losing a heap of weight with the aim of getting in elite condition to represent Queensland country.
“I really committed to the cricket season a few years back to try and make that team. I set some goals and I have just followed through with it into footy now,” Roach said.
“I would rather play cricket than footy, it is more relaxing (laughs).”
South Cairns coach John Tootell noted earlier this year that Roach must have had a great cricket season leading into the 2019 footy campaign, such was his early season form.
Roach was a popular winner of the coveted medal on Sunday night at Cazalys Stadium.
A first Crathern Medal for South Cairns since 2014 is nice, Roach says, but a breakthrough premiership this Sat
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urday evening is what he, and his football club, crave the most.
He also became the first footballer to win the Crathern Medal and Coaches MVP in the same season, with the coaches award introduced last season.
Earlier in the night, Cairns Saints skipper Tahlia Smith won the Jo Butland Medal for best and fairest in the women’s competition, polling 28 votes, to win by eight votes from Centrals’ Tina Welch.