Territorians lead Lions to big win over Hawks
HAWKS coach Peter Leonard said his team was outclassed pure and simple by an unstoppable Cairns City Lions led by its two Territorian terrors.
The Lions utterly ruined Manunda’s long-awaited return to Cazalys with a 21.18 (144) to 4.4 (28) belting.
Cairns City roared out of the gate to kick 55 unanswered points in the opening quarter, leaving the Hawks floundering from the get-go.
“It was always gonna be a struggle after quarter time,” Leonard said.
“We stemmed the bleeding in the last three quarters, we were just totally outclassed in the first quarter.
“You can’t expect to win games starting like that against the premiers and a class team.”
The pressure of the Lions was unparalleled all game long, with the quick hands of Robert Turnbull, Jake Long and young speedster Beau Flint fuelling the fire.
Once inside 50, NTFL additions Jackson Calder and Kyle Emery had Manunda outmatched at every turn.
Both Lions notched beston-ground votes, with Calder booting seven majors and Emery five.
Leonard said there were no excuses for his side’s 116-point walloping, but did concede his squad had a number of outs.
Young teenage Hawks including Hunter Rundle, Will Munro and Josh Welsford did well to step up and score quality game time in the seniors.
“Josh played seniors last year, he’s developing very nicely,” Leonard said.
“Proud day for their families, the kids did really well, definitely in our top five or six players.
“They weren’t overawed by the situation, they’ve got a good future.”
While the loss came as a crushing reality check for the Hawks, Leonard said it was good to be back playing at Cazalys now the AFL had come and gone. “It good to have our first home game, and a dry game as well,” he said.
Having also been thrashed by the Cairns Saints in round 3 by 53 points, Leonard said Manunda had much to work on if they want to be back in finals contention.
“We just need more composure with the footy,” he said.
“We just breezed away when we got some pressure put on us.
“We’ll work on that and our forward entries also, we’ll have a few boys back next week to help the kids out too.”
Meanwhile, Dan Moore was the hero of the hour at the Port Douglas Sports Complex.
Down by nearly 30 entering the final quarter, the Saints belted six majors to have themselves back in the contest against the Crocs.
However Moore had other plans, kicking two clutch goals in the dying minutes to get his team the 15.10 (100) to 13.18 (96) win.
Another nailbiter was had at Fretwell Park, where South Cairns managed to eek out a 16.11 (107) to 14.12 (96) win.
Lachie Rhook had a solid outing against his former team, but the Ketchen brothers, Isaac and Clay produced quality footy to steer the Cutters to victory.