Tigers on verge of sing song

ALTHOUGH many are tipping North Cairns to break their 26-game losing streak today, coach Iaon Drake is approaching the contest with Cairns City Lions like any other.

The Tigers have not sung the song after an AFL Cairns seniors game since Saturday June 27, 2015.

That day, the Tigers kicked the last two goals of the game, through Corey Flint and Mitchell Koch, to steal a 86-82 victory over Centrals Trinity Beach.

Drake, who coached the Tigers reserves in 2015, described that year as “rock bottom” for the Watsons Oval-based club but said the morale and culture around the squad had improved tenfold since.

The Tigers, although beaten last Saturday by Cairns Saints, showed positive signs with recruits Scott Rowe and Thomas Clough influential while regulars Tyler Gorogo and Tait Giffard were busy again.

Drake has named another strong squad as they travel to Power Park to tackle the winless Lions.

“We will take it the same as any other game,” Drake said.

“We walk into it the same, it does not matter if you are playing Port Douglas, Cairns Saints or Cairns City Lions, we just worry about our game plan and our team rules.

“I am confident if we play our way, we will play some good football this year and this game is no different.

“It is exciting that we may get to sing the song on Saturday but 100 minutes of football is our first job at hand.”

Drake said he was looking forward to playing the first ever AFL Cairns seniors game at Power Park.

In other Round 3 contests, Saints travel to Crathern Park to face Centrals Trinity Beach, who knocked them out of the 2016 finals, while Port Douglas will be out to make it three from three against Manunda in the later start.