CLUBS LOCKED, LOADED FOR A DOGFIGHT
The race for September glory finally begins, writes Harry Murtough
CAIRNS CITY LIONS
It will be hard to top the fairytale end to AFL Cairns’ 2021 season, but a veritable offseason arms race has laid the groundwork for the competition’s most heated year yet.
For the Lions, the honeymoon is well and truly over after Aaron Davy led the team to its first premiership in 38 years.
But the concept of back-to-back flags has co-captain Sean Connelly excited to get the footy under way.
“The celebrations went on for a while, it’s a big deal for our football club,” he said.
“We’ve kept that buzz, picked up some players and retained most of our list – we want to see our ressies and women’s succeed with us.”
With a target on their backs, Connelly was confident the side’s deep roster would hold them in good stead.
“We know everyone’s coming for us, there was talk that it was all luck, but we’re here to show that it’s not luck, it’s hard work.
“We’ve spent five years building this and we’re here to stay.”
CENTRALS TRINTY BEACH BULLDOGS
Cairns City will take on a team not unlike its 2021 side: the Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs.
Crathern Park has been welcoming a number of new faces to its clubrooms in the off-season, most notable of which has been fresh-from-retirement Gold Coast Suns ruck Zac Smith.
“They’ve slotted in seamlessly and fit into the club really well,” Centrals co-captain Nick Thacker said.
This is on top of the club’s already imposing contingent that includes joint Crathern medallist Mark Horne, player-coach Luke Morgan and exCutter Lachie Rhook.
“We know what it takes after that heartbreaking (finals) loss last year,” Thacker said.
“We know we can take it that step further, we’ve been working really hard in the pre-season.”
NORTH CAIRNS TIGERS
For North Cairns, their season opener against Port Douglas will serve as a gauge at how far Jason Tom’s boys have come in one off-season.
The perennial wooden spoon holders are hoping a new coach, and new faces including GDFL (VIC) ruckman Brock Carter, can reinstitute a bit of pride in Watson’s Park once more.
“(I’m) super keen to help build the club up because obviously they haven’t been the greatest in the last couple of seasons,” Carter said.
PORT DOUGLAS CROCS
Things have been quiet in Crocs territory over the break, the club remaining tight-lipped about much of their off-season moves. The club lost about 17 players from its 2021 roster, with plenty of new blood rising.
Joint Crathern medallist Liam Brandt has been slated to be back on deck for 2022, but gun on-baller won’t be joining the side until May.
A move that’s sure to give opposing clubs cause for caution has been the return of Port coach Brad Cooper to his 10th year with the club.
Last season may have yielded an end to the invincible reign of the Crocs, but veteran Jesse Mawson is eager to get down to business.
“It’s always good to have Coops (Cooper) around, he’s the big dog up in Port Douglas,” Mawson said. “He rules with an iron fist. “We don’t come to footy to lose or come second, we come in to push for a premiership, we’ve got that recipe.’
CAIRNS SAINTS
Another team that hopes its winning formula results in a flag will be the Cairns Saints.
Having been inches from immortality in back-to-back years has captain Cade Wellington hungry to see his team make that final hurdle to a premiership this year.
“We’ll play to our structures and strengths, hopefully we can build on what we’ve accomplished in the last two seasons and take it one step further,” the Saints skipper said.
SOUTH CAIRNS CUTTERS
Saints will take on long-time rivals the Cutters, whose 2021 finals snubbing has galvanised the boys at Fretwell to make a big push this year.
Similar to Centrals, South Cairns spent summer signing a few old and new faces to its list, including skilled SANFL veteran James Boyd.
Captain Cam Campbell said firstyear
coach Brad Johansen had helped reinvigorate the club into returning to its premiership contending days.
“Brad’s brought new life into the place and rejuvenated the club,” Campbell said.
Souths have also welcomed back Isaac Ketchen and Alex Rogers into the fold, with the former bringing in brothers and players Noah and Clay to the team.
MANUNDA HAWKS
Manunda will not play in the first round, but that won’t stop the Hawks from sizing up their finals prospects
for the season. The club welcomed back mulleted midfielder Corey Flint, who Hawks captain Josh Gall touts as a top five player in the competition.
“We want to play finals footy this year,” Gall said.
“Last year we started really well, but there were a couple of close losses later that cost us.
“If we can start the same way, and get those close games, then you’re in finals where anything can happen.”
The 2022 AFL Cairns competition kicks off on Saturday afternoon for all three grades.