Tigers aplenty under German and Burns
A COMMON occurrence at most local football clubs happened at North Cairns for the first time in years this month — a serious selection meeting.
The Tigers of Watsons Oval have not been stacked with playing numbers over the past few years as results went from bad to worse and footballers stayed away.
With former AFL figures Ronnie Burns and Peter German, remotely from Melbourne for German as he is stuck down there, on board in 2020, the numbers have been impressive compared with the past few years.
North Cairns co-captain Anthony Stewart says a culture and vibe of being punctual, showing respect for the jersey and club had fallen by the wayside over the last few years, but is being implemented this AFL Cairns campaign.
“Over the last few years, we have had a culture of that if you just rock up you get a game,” Stewart said.
“We have got 40 guys we can choose from now on game day, we have had to make a few tough calls on selection, who may have thought they were ahead of other guys but we need to reward guys who have trained.
“That type of thing hasn’t happened for a long time.”
Stewart, a long-time Tiger, says his teammates had not been exposed to the professionalism displayed by Burns and German before they turned up at the club.
“We have been doing the same thing for a few years and expecting new results, and it did not work, so they have come in and changed a few things,” Stewart said.
“The feedback from the playing group has been really positive and the numbers on the track have been as good as what I have ever seen at the club.
“Guys are enjoying being mentored and I think we are on the right track.”
North Cairns fell to Saints in round one and hosts South Cairns this Friday in its second crack under the leadership of Burns.