PNG partnership’s still in NRL hunt: Manning
THE Cairns-Papua New Guinea NRL bid might have taken a back seat as cashed-up consortiums clamour to be the NRL’s 17th team in the state’s southeast corner, but Cairns Mayor Bob Manning insists it’s not a dead duck.
Cr Manning has led the charge for a joint NRL bid with PNG since early 2018, going so far as to meet with former chief executive Todd Greenberg and chairman Peter Beattie about the plan.
While the impact of COVID-19 has put a dampener on discussions over the past year, and the NRL’s current administration has expressed little interest in the idea, Cr Manning was adamant the door remained open.
“The prospects are still there and we’re keen to talk, but it would require a financial agreement with the federal government and backing from a very high level in PNG,” he said. “I think we’ve got a fair way to go, but we’re keen on it.
“This is the only way our city will get a stadium.”
It comes days after Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said his country aimed to have its own NRL team by 2025. The PNG government has signed a sports partnership agreement with Australia, which could help pave the way for a PNG-affiliated side to enter the NRL.
Cr Manning maintained a joint bid with Cairns would be the ideal proposal.
“Our approach to PNG has been on the basis that to give this the best chance of succeeding, we would like to talk about how we might be able to partner,” he said. “I know that there would be opposition to this … from Townsville because they would see that as competition with the Cowboys, but on the other hand, if you look at the bigger picture, the population of PNG is almost nine million — where else in the world can you pick up nine million people who would be absolutely committed to rugby league?
“The PNG people would love it, they’re mad on rugby league, it’s a religion, and I think that would be attractive for both countries.
“We think people in Australia would welcome a PNG side in, but it would probably have to be beefed up with a number of Australian or Pacific Islander players. Some of the time they’d be based in Port Moresby, some of the time they’d be in Cairns, but Cairns would probably be the best place to have them headquartered.”
Cr Manning said he was still putting time and energy into the cause. “DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) have been supporters in the past, but they’ve never been prepared to take the running on it,” he said. “We’re not in the race yet, we’re still in the pits, and we’ve got to go out for warm up laps and things like that.”
MARCUS McGregor-Cassady has already thrown out his game plan as he embarks on his first gig as a senior Aussie rules head coach at AFL Cairns Women’s grand finalist North Cairns Tigers in 2021.
The Tigers have long been one of the better performers in the FNQ competition, last year making the grand final before running out of steam against a hot Saints side.
A new coach does not necessarily mean a new approach to the game, as McGregor-Cassady planned to adopt a similar playing style and system to what worked so well for the Watsons Oval club in the past.
That was until he learned the extent of the club’s losses, with key trio Deborah Bond, Gabrielle Nichol and Jasmine Ware among those not to suit up this season.
“I had a plan worked out but had to toss that one,” McGregor-Cassady said. “I’d love for them to still be playing, but that’s footy.
“We’ll need to rely on our depth a bit this season.”
McGregor-Cassady is not new to North Cairns, having served as an assistant to Darrin Molloy last year after spending time around the teams in unofficial capacities.
A former Aussie rules player himself and talented cricketer, McGregor-Cassady takes on a club which has a strong track in record in producing quality footballers, and a team who are expected be among the top end of the competition.
It’s why McGregor-Cassady won’t be changing up too much - if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it - and despite some roster changes he doesn’t have to reinvent their playing style.
“We’ll keep everything pretty similar to how it’s been in the past, and just try to focus on building our skills and knowledge of the game.” McGregor-Cassady said.
The AFL Cairns Women’s season will start on April 10, with North Cairns Tigers to face Cairns City Lions at Watsons Oval.