Pittorino showing no signs of slowing down
NOT far away from raising the bat for a significant age milestone, evergreen Manunda Hawks footballer Fred Pittorino can still go with the best of them.
The veteran forward has been in and out of the brown and gold’s seniors team over the last few years, not because he has not been selected on form, but because he wanted to give the kids a go.
And, whenever he has been called upon to step up from the reserves to the seniors, he has handled himself well, despite soon turning 45.
Pittorino, who is also still one of the top local cricketers in the summer, did not just handle himself well on Saturday in Hawks’ first home game of the season, he was the matchwinner.
The experienced Pittorino kicked five from his own boot and when City Lions were on the charge, he was sent down back to slow their momentum, which he played a key role in doing.
“He took three marks down in defence, he settled the game for us, that was after kicking his goals,” Hawks coach Brad Sinclair said. “He is a really good teacher, he leads by example … He is in ripping nick. I coached him six years ago and I think he is in better form now than what he was back then.
“He does not want to keep a kid out of a spot in the senior side but I felt he could really teach the kids something on the ground while playing.”
Sinclair was also impressed with emerging youngster Connor Munro, who kicked a goal, and was among Hawks’ best.
While Manunda find themselves 1-1 so far, even South Cairns officials have noted how well they competed in Round 1, despite Cutters running over the top of them in the end.
It has been a poor start to the season for Lions, who had big expectations coming into 2020.
The Holloways Beachbased club has recruited extensively after playing finals last campaign and find themselves 0-2, but should get on the board this Saturday when they host North.
SENIORS
North Cairns 1.1-7 1.1-7 1.2-8 1.3-9
South Cairns 7.2-44 17.9-111 23.15-153 31.17-203
NORTH CAIRNS
Goal Kickers: C. Lee
Best Players: M. Wall, C.
Waldon, C. Lee, F. Greenwool, D. Rogers, J. Ransom
SOUTH CAIRNS
Goal Kickers: J. Dixon 7, H. Mareko 4, D. Dewis 3, J. Barnett 3, A. Heathcote 2, K. Petri, C. Allen, J. Wardle, J. Greene, C. Campbell, L. Rhook, J. Panopoulos, P. Na’awi, J. Karwan, J. Roach, D. Bosen, J. Marino
Best Players: J. Dixon, J.
Marino, H. Mareko, P. Na’awi, C. Allen, K. Petri
Manunda Hawks 1.3-9 4.5-29 10.5-65 11.8-74
Cairns City Lions 0.2-2 2.8-20 3.9-27 8.11-59
MANUNDA HAWKS
Goal Kickers: F. Pittorino 5, K. Williams 2, C. Munro, S. McCorkell, W. Swaffer, T. Clarke Best Players: F. Pittorino, T. Clarke, C. Munro, E. Ware, C. Flint, J. Gall
CAIRNS CITY LIONS
Goal Kickers: M. Hamdorf 2, B. Flint, T. Mooka, E. Sansbury, J. Rolfe, R. Sam, C. Moloney
Best Players: P. Yagmoor, A. Davey, M. Hamdorf, P. Johnson, J. Rolfe, R. Munster
Centrals Trinity Beach 1.1-7 3.2-20 3.5-23 3.5-23
Cairns Saints 2.4-16 9.9-63 15.15-105 15.15-105
CENTRALS TRINITY BEACH
Goal Kickers: T. Eltringham 3 Best Players: C. Paterson, M. Horne, M. Culpitt, J. Holt, J. Brinn, J. Butson
CAIRNS SAINTS
Goal Kickers: C. Wellington 4, J. O’’Halloran 3, J. Matulis 2, W. Glass 2, J. Kura, J. Ferguson, K. Daley, B. Bish
Best Players: T. Pearce, S. Rowe, J. O’’Halloran, J. Barr, N. Goodman, J. Matulis
RESERVES
North Cairns 0.1-1 0.1-1 1.1-7 1.1-7
South Cairns 7.1-43 11.9-75 15.15-105 18.20-128
NORTH CAIRNS
Goal Kickers: S. Kris
Best Players: S. Kris, T. Bennett, T. Lee, N. Asera
SOUTH CAIRNS
Goal Kickers: W. English 4, P. Buller 3, M. Lane 2, A. Minniss 2, D. Richardson, J. Crocker, S. Ayling, K. Wilkins, C. Gale, Z. Penney, L. Ehlich
Best Players: W. English, Z. Penney, B. Goostrey, P. Buller, L. Ehlich
Manunda Hawks 1.3-9 5.5-35 7.9-51 11.11-77
Cairns City Lions 1.0-6 2.0-12 2.1-13 2.1-13
Centrals Trinity Beach 3.2-20 5.2-32 5.4-34 5.4-34
Cairns Saints 2.0-12 4.2-26 5.2-32 5.2-32
CENTRALS TRINITY BEACH CAIRNS SAINTS
Goal Kickers: A. Graetz 3, C. Haseldine, L. Enosa
Best Players: E. Mareko, M. Nona-Lifu, P. Baira, W. Baird, A. Graetz, S. Musgrove