CROCS EYE RARE FINAL AFL Cairns to move 2020 finals series away from Cazalys

Val uses spell to hone skills

FOUR-TIME defending AFL Cairns premiers Port Douglas have put their hand up to host a rare final in 2020 with Cazalys Stadium set to be unavailable through September and October.

So often the travelling team to Cairns despite finishing higher on the ladder over the last few years, the Crocs hierarchy think they deserve a chance to hold a post-season clash after their recent dominance of the competition.

AFL Cairns boss Gary Young is open to the idea, identifying Port Douglas, Fretwell Park and Watsons Oval as potential finals options if games need to be played when Cazalys is out of action for AFL due to international cricket.

The Australian men’s and women’s national cricket teams are set to play international T20 matches at Cairns’ Cazalys Stadium later this year as practice games before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, if it is to go ahead.

If the elite cricket games are to be played in FNQ, Cazalys Stadium would be unavailable for most of September and some of October, preparing the cricket wicket and then letting it grow out to be softer in the centre of the ground again.

Port Douglas Crocs president Barry Lea would love to host a final or potentially the decider at the Port Douglas Sports Complex.

The Crocs were recently awarded a $110,000 infrastructure grant from the Federal Government to install 194 sections of traditional white picket fence panels made out of recycled plastic to replace the old chain wire.

“We are open to it and I think it would be good for the league to host a final up here,” Lea said.

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Picture: GETTY IMAGES www.cairnspost.com.au RARING TO GO: Valentine Holmes’ return to the NRL was cut short when the season was suspended but the Cowboys No.1 is ready to hit the ground running after using the time to master his craft. COWBOYS fullback Valentine Holmes used the NRL season suspension to fast-track his return to rugby league. Holmes will be back in North Queensland’s No.1 jersey when the Cowboys reboot their 2020 campaign against the Gold Coast Titans in Townsville next Friday night. The two-month COVID-19 shutdown was a speed bump for Holmes, who was only two games into his Cowboys career following his one-year sojourn in the NFL. But the Queensland Origin flyer used the break to further hone his league skills after missing a year of footy while he tried to crack the NFL with the New York Jets. Holmes, 24, practised catching bombs by himself and completed early morning fitness sessions in Townsville parks to ensure he was ready to hit the ground running when the NRL season rebooted. “It wasn’t ideal, I was looking forward to getting a few more games under my belt,” Holmes said.