Bulldogs plan to keep up pressure

A FOUR-quarter effort will be the message from playercoach Luke Morgan ahead of Centrals Trinity Beach’s clash with North Cairns on Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs return to Crathern Park coming off the bye in Round 4 and will be hungry for their second win after a 1-2 start to the season.

“We trained and kept it up but you’ve got to utilise the bye a little bit different to keep the players a bit fresh and enjoying their footy,” Morgan said.

“We did a little bit of different stuff but we also trained during the week. We’ve got a strong side and we’re ready to go this weekend.”

Morgan said the directive had been a simple one this week, but it was important his side got it right.

“I think in the last couple of games we’ve fallen over in the second half, so we need to keep it up for the whole game and put in a consistent four-quarter effort,” he said.

“We also need our ball movement to be a bit more effective, and eliminate some of our costly turnovers.”

Bulldogs Colts (under-18s) player Jack Cornish has been named to make his senior debut against the Tigers.

The teenager was impressive in pre-season practice matches and has been touted as an exciting prospect.

“He’s a good talent that can fill a number of positions and will do well with some senior exposure so we’re looking forward to him playing,” Morgan said.

“We’ll probably utilise him across halfback, maybe halfforward or wing; that’s the sort of the role he can play, which is a big role, but he can play in a few different spots there and he’s got the attributes to play at both ends.”

Elsewhere, South Cairns Cutters host Cairns City Lions in a top-of-the-table clash at Fretwell Park, while Port Douglas take on Saints in their annual Pink in the Tropics clash, which doubles as a grand final rematch.

The game, now in its sixth year, raises funds and awareness for breast cancer and is traditionally held on the Mother’s Day weekend.

Crocs coach Brad Cooper said it was a “massive occasion” for the club.

“It’s really twofold for us,” he said.

“We have a lot of female volunteers at the club so it’s about getting them to do as little work as possible on the day and really honouring them and what they do for the club.

“But it’s also an opportunity for our new players to see what we’re about and be involved in something that is a big part of what we stand for as a footy club.”

He said it would be a good challenge for the 2-2 Crocs.

“From what I’ve seen, they’re probably the form side of the competition,” he said.