Confidence boost for new-look side
MUCH tougher assignments are on the horizon but so far, so good for the new-look Cairns Saints in 2020.
The black, white and red from Griffiths Park have beaten up on the minnows of FNQ to get their confidence up in the opening two rounds of the new campaign.
And, with such a new group of players, many of whom are still only young, a bit of extra confidence ahead of upcoming tasks against the big boys like South Cairns and Port Douglas might be just what the Saints need.
Wes Glass’s side had no worries on the road to Crathern Park on Saturday, conceding only three goals, all of which came from free kicks as the Bulldogs could not boot a goal from general play across four quarters.
Saints skipper Cade Wellington, who kicked four goals, is suddenly one of the longestserving footballers at the club and is happy with the way his side is building in the first few months under playing-coach Glass.
“It has been fantastic. We have got all these new blokes coming into our club; I think we had seven new ones today from the side that beat North Cairns the other day,” Wellington said.
“They have come in and played their role well.
“It has been great so far, 2-0, unbelievable start.
“Wes has been fantastic for us. He has learnt from one of the best coaches up here in Brad Cooper and added his own things on top of that, as well as bringing a few new guys to the club, who have all settled in well.”
Former Saints Tom Eltringham and Mark Horne turned out against their old mob for the first time after taking the extra incentive to head to Trinity Beach.
Horne was at his hardworking best on the ball and his old
NEW-ISH FACES IN SAINTS’ SENIOR SIDE
Joshuah Matulis: recruited from the Gold Coast
Nick Goodman: former Port Douglas ruckman, followed Wes Glass from the Crocs Jared Barr: recruited from Broadbeach
Tui Lowah: returned to the club after being part of the Suns’ NEAFL program the last few years
Jake O’Halloran: played a few senior matches in 2019 but arguably put in his best effort for the club on Saturday Scott Rowe: former North Cairns Tiger who has been named in Saints’ best twice already this season.
Saints teammates did not miss him, often giving him a little more extra attention, while Eltringham booted three and had little influence on the contest.
The returning Jayden Holt helped Horne in the middle, but the Bulldogs’ depth is just nowhere near strong enough to be competitive at this stage.
There was a bit of spice in the contest for much of the day with a few spotfires around the ground.
First-time senior coach Brad Wallace had an afternoon to forget in his first time leading a top-line club.
“We were missing four or five senior players, so we will try and take the positives out of the game,” Wallace said.
“I am not sure the scoreboard reflected the actual game. I think we were closer than the result for three quarters of the game.
“For blokes like me to be playing still – I should not be playing, I am too old – but I felt like I needed to be out there to support the kids.”
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