Return of bookends to boost Saints

CAIRNS Saints’ grand final hopes have been bolstered with bookends Tom Eltringham and Ryan Fielding to return for this afternoon’s preliminary final against South Cairns.

The key position pair have not played since the last time Saints played the Cutters, at Fretwell Park on August 18, with Fielding, knee, and Eltringham, shoulder, complaints.

On-baller Haydn Cox is also set to come into the Saints side that lost to Port Douglas last Saturday while defender Rohan Couch will again miss with a knee injury.

Saints playing coach Tim Lamprill said Fielding and Eltringham (pictured) trained strongly this week and will anchor either end of the ground this afternoon.

With 100-goal kicker Eltringham missing over the last month, Saints have been forced to use midfielders Cade Wellington and Jack Philp in deeper forward roles, which should free up the duo of Crathern Medal hopefuls this afternoon and in the decider, if they were to advance.

“Bringing Tom back in really helps with our structure as other guys can play and rest elsewhere,” Lamprill said.

“Tom seems all right with it, he has trained for a couple of weeks really.

“He should be ready to go this week.”

Fielding’s return is key for Saints if they are to advance to the big dance, as he is a regular Kye Chapple minder in the Port Douglas goal square.

Saints have beaten the Cutters in all three of their meetings in 2018.