RAINBIRD BRINGS THE RAIN FOR LIONS
WHEN Tyron Rainbird first arrived at Holloways Beach Sporting Complex to play for the Cairns City Lions in 2018, the team was struggling to fill its playing list.
After spending two years in Tasmania and NSW, Rainbird has returned to Holloways to find his team raising its 2021 premiership banner.
“It’s a lot different now to when I was up here two years ago, I’ll tell you that,” he said. “It’s good to be back.”
Rainbird initially joined the club the same year as former Melbourne Demons star Aaron Davey signed on to be the Lions’ player-coach.
Rainbird said he was amazed by the work Davey, and the club, had done over the years to bring the Lions back to the top of the competition.
This was after years of long and tough seasons for the club, a history which fuelled the 2021 team to make a finals run that culminated in its first premiership flag in 38 years.
“Last time I was here, we were trying to find numbers the night before to fill a team, now we’re dropping people that should be in the team,” Rainbird said.
The Lions have got their 2022 campaign off on the right foot, taking down the Bulldogs and Saints in convincing fashion.
Rainbird has slotted in nicely in Cairns City’s forward line, along the likes of Robert Turnbull and NT star Jackson Calder.
“I’m still adjusting a little bit because it’s a bit different now – there’s a lot more forwards and lot more coming in now, which is a lot different,” the former Lions skipper said.
“I’m probably finding it a lot easier now to be honest.”
His efforts early in the season earned Rainbird a spot on the Cairns All Stars team, who were the victors against the Indigenous – South Pacific team on the all star weekend.
“It was a close game, the skills were pretty good considering the conditions weren’t much chop,” he said.
The All Star game served as good practice for Rainbird and the Lions, who return to the venue on Saturday to face the Hawks.
The Crocs will host the Pink in the Tropics fundraiser when they face Saints in a blockbuster at Port Douglas Sporting Complex. South Cairns host Centrals at Fretwell Park.