Double ton for veteran

Manunda ace’s milestone

Manunda veteran Carey Eccles will play her 200th game for the Hawks in the main event of the AFL Cairns Women’s triple header at Cazalys Stadium on Saturday.

AFL Cairns is celebrating Pride Round, with all three women’s fixtures to be played at the Far North’s premier sporting venue, complete with a rainbow 50m line.

And Eccles will lead out the Hawks for their round five game against Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs.

Eccles has given years of blood, sweat and tears to the Hawks club, overcoming several injuries and setbacks to reach the massive milestone.

Manunda coach Kareena White said Eccles had transformed into a player who could slot into any position on the field over the years.

“When I first joined she was full on,” White said. “She was diving into tackles, getting into the contests and going after the ball – she was crazy.

“She’s settled a bit over the years and is a very smart footballer. She makes the right choices and is someone who can play anywhere.”

The Hawks will celebrate her milestone with a banner, while Eccles will lead the team dressed in their custom Pride Round guernseys on to Cazalys Stadium – and hopefully off of it with a win.

Pride Round is an opportunity for the AFL Cairns competition to show that it is a game and league open to everyone regardless of their background and views.

“It’s important for us to show that everyone is respected and welcome at our club,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter about your background, we’re a team, and we’re here to play footy. “Everyone’s welcome.” Manunda ended a yearslong drought last week when they overcame Saints, and while the Hawks enjoyed every minute of that triumph, the focus instantly switched to the challenge of taking on a Bulldogs outfit which has always been a tough match-up.

“It was really good to finally get that win,” White said.

“We played them a few weeks ago and almost got them, but we didn’t have our whole team.

“It’s been a few years since we beat them so it was nice.

“We haven’t played the Bulldogs yet this season but we have to be at our best, they always give us a tough game.”

South Cairns face Saints in the first game at 9.30am, with North Cairns against Cairns City Lions from 11am.