Beaten Tigers awaiting Novy’s return

NORTH Cairns coach Tait Giffard is hopeful the versatile Chris Novy will return to the club after stepping away from playing in recent weeks.

The Tasmanian recruit, in his second season at Watsons Oval, did not feature in the Tigers’ loss to Cairns Saints on Saturday afternoon and has not run out in the black and gold since June 16.

Novy has been named in the Tigers’ best players in four of his six games in 2018 and was in line to represent North Queensland against South Queensland later this month in Brisbane.

“We are more than hopeful that Chris will come back to playing in the near future,” Giffard said.

On the park, Giffard thought there was plenty of positives to take from the Tigers’ 47-point defeat to the unbeaten Saints.

“We had an improved effort and commitment throughout the day, which we’re all happy with,” Giffard said.

“Our last three weeks, we have played some good footy without getting a result.

“As a young side, we are trying to stop those fade-outs that we seem to have in games.”

Tiger skipper Travis Thorne kicked five majors, while Giffard singled out Leigh Blucher and David Nash for praise in their defensive efforts.

Meanwhile, Saints’ upcoming celebrations of Tom Eltringham’s ton of goals will need to be put on ice for a few weeks at least.

The athletic spearhead dislocated his shoulder against South Cairns last Saturday, missed Saturday’s win over North Cairns and is set to return in around a month.

Saints playing-coach Tim Lamprill yesterday said Eltringham was targeting a return against Manunda in Round 16.

The Victorian forward has booted 75 goals in just 10 games this season.