Huge start to Women’s AFL
CAIRNS Saints won’t have to wait long to avenge their AFL Cairns Women’s defeat at the hands of North Cairns Tigers.
The grand final replay will kick off the new 16-round season on Saturday, April 18, at Fretwell Park, with all three opening round games set for an 11am start.
Women will also star under lights in curtain closers to the men’s competitions’ Anzac Day games.
Two bye rounds are scheduled to coincide with the representative game on May 15 and the South QueenslandNorth Queensland clash at Southport on the weekend of June 27.
But the biggest win is the scheduling of more triple headers, which women’s manager Aaron Davey said would have a major impact on clubs.
Davey, who coaches Cairns City Lions, said supporters, families and potential new players were the biggest winners as organisers seek to grow the game.
“I know personally at our football club, our men get
VICTORY ROAR: AFL Cairns Women’s premiers North Cairns Tigers will face Cairns Saints in the opening round. more of a buzz out of watching the women play than preparing for our own games,” Davey said.
“When you have the opportunity for triple headers I think the club benefits not only just on the field but more importantly off the field.
“Supporter bases, numbers, it really encourages guys and families to come down.
“We want to be known as a family-oriented sport where it allows kids to come down and watch some of their heroes, whether it’s their mums, sisters, uncles or their brothers,” Davey said.
“Triple headers are massive, and it ties into what we’ve got up here.”
Manunda and Centrals Trinity Beach will both have the bye in the last round, with semi-finals on August 22.
The preliminary final is August 29, with the grand final on September 5.
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