WILL THE IMPROVED NORTH CAIRNS TIGERS BREAK THROUGH AND WIN?

IN a week of near-upsets, the North Cairns Tigers appeared to be on the verge for their own historic win.

Against regular flag contenders Saints at Watsons Oval, the Tigers traded blows with their opponents from the start to go into three-quarter-time a point behind.

If Adam Gross hadn’t remembered his golden boot in the fourth quarter, who knows how close this 48-point Tigers loss would have been.

Once again, it was club newcomers Boe Collins, Brock Carter and player-coach Jase Tom who top the best on ground votes for their team.

And rightly so, with the entire playing squad rallying as the team continues to make improvements this season.

While a victory would have been the icing on the cake for Tom’s team, the club should take solace in the fact this Tigers team would lose these types of games by a couple of hundred points last year.

Much like the Cutters’ women’s squad, there’s an optimistic sense of purpose hanging around Watsons that has patrons sensing a win on the horizon.