Townsville Bulletin

TIGERS PUT UP FIGHT IN NQ CUP

- JORDAN GERRANS

BOTH clubs have backed the North Queensland Challenge Cup to continue after Port Douglas lifted the first- ever trophy on Saturday.

Billed as the curtain- raiser to the Gold Coast Suns and North Melbourne clash at Cazalys, the NQ Challenge Cup game was moved across town to the redevelope­d Watsons Oval due to the wet conditions at AFL Cairns headquarte­rs on Saturday afternoon.

The change of venue did not concern the twice defending premiers of the Far North as the Crocs pulled away from their Townsville opponents, Hermit Park, in the final term after they challenged in the third.

The damp conditions limited scoring opportunit­ies as the Crocs claimed a comfortabl­e 10.11 ( 71) – 4.2 ( 26) victory. Hermit Park, who were outclassed, featured a handful of players from other AFL Townsville clubs as they are keen to impress North Queensland representa­tive coach Brad Cooper, who doubles as the Crocs’ mentor.

Cooper said the club got what they needed out of the contest as they prepare for Round 1 against South Cairns on Friday in Port Douglas.

“I think it is a good concept, playing against a Townsville club,” Cooper said. “It would have been nice to play on Cazalys Stadium.”

Tigers interim coach Brennan Gibson hopes the NQ Challenge Cup will be played again between the two region premiershi­p clubs.

“We love it, the concept is a great idea,” Gibson said. “I have not seen our guys this excited for a game of football for a long while.”

New Croc Brett Meredith, who was previously on the Sydney Swans list, brought his own footy in the first half as he looked a class above. Meredith was awarded the match ball as the Crocs’ best in the win.

Former Gold Coast Sun and Townsville Blackhawk Josh Hall featured for the Tigers as he put his hand up for NQ selection later this year.

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 ?? Picture: BRENDAN RADKE ?? OUTCLASSED: Hermit Park's Jason Di Betta gets past Port Douglas' Ethan McCullough.
Picture: BRENDAN RADKE OUTCLASSED: Hermit Park's Jason Di Betta gets past Port Douglas' Ethan McCullough.

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