SAINTS ADD DEPTH
REPLACING a Crathern Medal winner is never an easy task but Cairns Saints are looking to spread the load in 2019 to fill the gap of Joel Newman’s absence.
With the hardworking onballer now at Broadbeach in the QAFL, Saints have brought in two experienced familiar faces to AFL Cairns, Mark Horne and Keenan George, to help fill the void.
George returns to Griffiths Park after pulling on the red, white and black in 2017 while former City Lion Horne becomes a Saint through his Tasmanian connection to firstyear coach Jack Philp.
Philp, who is likely to play more forward in 2019, wants to not rely on their top-end midfielders this season and look to add to their depth.
Big-bodied midfielder Horne was best afield with two goals as Saints beat City Lions in a preseason clash on Friday.
“I played against him years ago in Tasmania, have just known him through under-age footy down there and got to know him a little bit when he played at Lions up here a few years ago,” Philp said of Horne.
“He is a big bloke for a midfielder, strong body and he will add a bit for us as we have lost Joel Newman.
“We have looked to replace him and (add) some depth and guys like Mark and Keenan will do that.
“We have not tried to replace player for player in the midfield, with Joel winning the medal last year, but we have tried to add depth in that area.”
Alongside Horne and George, Saints will ask youngsters Jaspar Kneebone, Jaceb Baldwin and Oakley Wallace to also carry a heavier load.
Former Centrals Trinity Beach defender Rhys Bridge also turned out for Saints for the first time against Lions.
Meanwhile, reigning premiers Port Douglas scored a comfortable victory over traditional rivals South Cairns in their preseason clash.