Lions duo look to be a part of history in NT
TWO members of Cairns City Lions’ AFL Cairns premiershipwinning team have a chance to be a part of Northern Territory Football League history.
Midfielder Robbie Turnbull could claim his third premiership in the space of two years, while forward Jayden Magro is chasing his second in six months after the Lions’ triumph in September.
Turnbull was part of Lions’ back-to-back AFL Cairns titles in 2021 and ’22, while Magro played in Waratah’s losing grand final in the 2021-22 NTFL season.
Turnbull said it was a similar squad to last year and the team knew where it went wrong.
“Everyone is a lot more composed compared to last year, it was the club’s first grand final in about 20 years,” it said.
“This year everyone is a little bit more prepared for it. We are fortunate enough to have about 14-15 players who were part of the losing team last year.
“So the squad has changed a bit, but you still have that finals experience and enough knowledge about this week’s build up to keep everyone level headed.”
Turnbull has fed Magro plenty of the ball at Waratah, with Magro playing up forward.
Magro joined Waratah from Tasmania in 2022 and was a member of the team that lost the grand final, before moving to Cairns with Turnbull for the Lions’ successful title defence.
He kicked four goals in the Lions’ grand final thrashing of Port Douglas, which contributed to his winning the Howard Kennedy Medal for best on ground.
“We are a bit more settled this year than compared to last year, I remember a few nerves flying around last year,” Magro said.
“Southern Districts did beat us twice during the home and away season but we beat them first week in the finals.
“We will be focused and ready to go.”
It is already a historic day for the Waratahs, who have three senior teams and the under-18s in grand finals on Saturday.
The Tahs’ have not tasted grand final glory since the 1999-00 season.