Tom keen to see All Stars fire at Cazalys
And Tom likes what he has at his disposal.
But it is the opportunity to work with players and coaches who are usually rivals that he is looking forward to most.
“That’s why I love the concept,” Tom said. “You play at a footy club and you’re isolated to the club and those people, and you get caught up with your own group.
“But to actually expand, and meet players from other clubs and coaches, it really broadens your experience and knowledge base. So that’s the best part of the concept from my point of view, is meeting other people and getting to know how they go about their footy and things they do.
“(The squad) looks really good, (it’s) really even.
“We’ve got some good inside mids, some exacting key forwards, and some experienced midforwards and a solid back line.
“I’m pretty happy with how the squad has come together.”
The Cairns All Stars squad features six players from the premiership-winning Cairns City Lions, five from Saints, and four each from North Cairns and South Cairns.
Eight Lions players are in the ISP squad, seven from South Cairns and six Tigers.
The annual representative clash will be a curtain raiser to the AFL premiership match between St Kilda and Port Adelaide. Thousands of fans are expected to turn out.
Tom said that could mean the players would perform in front of one of the biggest crowds of their careers.
“It would probably be the biggest crowd a few players have played in front of, so it’s something they will be excited about,” Tom said.
“Especially that second half when more people start rolling in and the potential to play in front of a couple of thousand people. It’s exciting for the players and exciting for me as a coach to be part of it.”
The inaugural women’s All Stars clash will be played at Watsons Oval on Friday night.
Go to cairnspost.com.au/ sport to see the full teams.