Tigers pin hopes on experienced mentor
AFL Cairns strugglers North Cairns have found a man to lead them out of the abyss.
VFL Life Member and respected mentor Peter German will take over as North Cairns’ football manager for the 2020 season and may even coach the Tigers at senior level.
The dual premiership coach with Subiaco in the WAFL has accepted the off-field job with the Watsons Oval team and will spend the upcoming weeks evaluating the club before making a decision on the next senior coach.
AFL Cairns have created, and will fund, the new position of football manager at North Cairns as well as playing a key role in guiding German to the club. The 54-year-old German travelled to the Far North earlier this year to view a few AFL Cairns games while deciding if he wanted to take up the created role.
AFL Cairns football manager Craig Lees believes the appointment of German is a key step forward for the Tigers.
“Importantly, Peter has been heavily involved in community football with over four decades of support and commitment to Oak Park in Melbourne,” Lees said.
“Peter clearly understands the landscapes of local football and the challenges and opportunities that present at community level, which makes him the ideal appoint for AFL Cairns in his position as North Cairns Football Manager. Peter’s career is extensive and it’s a great appointment for the league. Peter has over three decades of experience at the elite level and his resume speaks volumes for his contributions to the game.”
German arrived in Cairns late yesterday and last night engaged with players, supporters and committees members at Watsons Oval and spoke with the Tigers ladies team ahead of the 2019 grand final.
While the senior side went winless in 2019 and their reserves were forced to forfeit games, North Cairns’ ladies team are the envy of the competition and start Saturday’s grand final as hot favourites.
The senior Tigers’ struggles made national headlines earlier this year when they were pumped by 402 points by Port Douglas.
German last coached in the Ovens and Murray Football Association with Albury Tigers, but pulled the pin earlier this year. Glen Coghlan coached North Cairns in 2019 but will not be back for a second season.
German becomes the third former AFL player to land at a Far North club over the last few years, with Aaron Davey coaching City Lions while Sam Blease will be Centrals Trinity Beach’s football manager in 2020.