AFL CAIRNS LAUNCH ‘19 SEASON
SPEAKS WITH A LEADER FROM EVERY AFL CAIRNS CLUB ABOUT THEIR PROSPECTS FOR SEASON 2019.
NORTH CAIRNS
Question: The Tigers have had a few coaches over the last few seasons, what has Glen Coghlan brought to the role?
Answer: Co-captain Anthony Stewart: I think what we have lacked over the last few years has been a bit of stability and being comfortable with going back to the basics of getting the little things right. We have worked on that a fair bit. It has been good working on getting the little things right.
Q: The club has lost experienced pair Chris Novy and Tom Clough. Who are a few young Tigers we can look to fill their role in 2019?
A: Co-captain Travis
Thorne: Young Chris Lee has really stepped up into the vicecaptain role. I think he will move into the midfield in his leadership role. Heath Molloy is back as well, is great for us. Hopefully he can bring his excitement and speed.
CENTRALS TB
Q: Wayne Sharkie is the man to coach the Bulldogs after Mick Seymour stepped away. What has he been like in his first pre-season?
A: Daniel Smith: He is pretty footy smart from Victoria and has a very good game plan. We have built up a few of the young boys for the season coming.
Q: There has been a bit of movement from Crathern Park with a handful of senior players leaving. How do you see your side going into 2019?
A: I will not say too much but we are going well. We have good numbers down on the track.
SOUTH CAIRNS
Q: The Cutters have been busy on the recruiting front this summer. Can you tell us
about a few of your southern recruits?
A: Cameron Campbell: It has been our biggest recruiting drive over the last couple of years. Jordan Greene comes up and should play through the midfield and Ryan Etherington is back from a knee injury. It is good in the off-season and hopefully we can sneak in another couple as well.
Q: Crathern Medallist Zac Ewer says he has called time on his acclaimed AFL Cairns career. Are you a chance of getting him back later?
A: We will give it a couple of weeks but he is newly married and has a bub now. He is settling into that life and chilling out but give it a few weeks and you can never know what will happen.
MANUNDA
Q: We have already mentioned Novy and Clough leaving North but what are they going to bring to the Hawks?
A: Nathan Weiss: They are quality footballers. We had a very young team last year and the few years before that and the leadership those two guys bring will be crucial. We have brought in other guys as well.
CAIRNS CITY LIONS
Q: Since playing-coach Aaron Davey has been at the club, Lions have added a girls and regained a reserves team. In your words, how has he impacted the club?
A: Tom Keegan: The proof is in the pudding. We can all see what has happened so far. Back a couple of years ago, the club was on its knees and now we can field three teams. He is very professional and he brings that to the club. It has rubbed off on all the players and the rest of the people around the club. We are heading in the right direction as a football club and we are ready for Round 1.
PYRAMID POWER
Q: The Power go into season 2019 as defending reserves premiers. Does that change how the playing group feels going into the season compared to other years?
A: Danny Floyd: It has been spoken about but we still see ourselves as being in the mix of an entire pack of clubs. We are always mindful that because we won the premiership last year, it is not going to be easy for us this year. We have been training hard so far and all the boys are keen to go around again.
PORT DOUGLAS
A: There is a handful or so players chasing four straight flags this year. What is it that keeps driving this playing group?
A: Kye Chapple: We love the lifestyle up here, we are good mates and have good work in Port. There is nowhere else we would rather be or no where else we would rather live than up here. Hopefully we can keep continuing to win. CAIRNS SAINTS
Q: Saints have lost almost 150 goals with Tom Eltringham and Tim Lamprill leaving. Who is going to kick a score for Saints this year?
A: Cade Wellington: We have a few new boys at the club, young fellas, that are happy to step up to their opportunity in the senior side.
Q: Jack Philp takes over as player-coach at Saints. How has that gone so far?
A: He has been well respected for the last six or seven years and now takes over coaching. It is exciting to be around the club.