Cairns Saints revived memories of dynasties past on Saturday, winning their second AFL Cairns premiership in as many years against South Cairns at Cazlays.
Trailing by 20 points at three-quarter time, Saints displayed all the grit and character which has propelled them through the finals series to overrun the minor premiers 16.8 (104) to 12.9 (81).
Saints player-coach Mark Kennedy, who won the Howard Kennedy Medal for best on ground, said it had been a difficult journey to even make September.
"This year we had a lot of injuries. A lot of people weren’t keen at the start and it was just hard to get everyone on the right path," he said.
"Once we all clicked it was a fantastic month capped off with great people getting good results.
"I’ve been pretty lucky to coach this group of people."
While Saints celebrated, the heartbreak of defeat was plain to see among the slumped and shattered figures of Cutters players and coaching staff.
In their minds, it was not meant to end like this.
For three quarters it appeared Cutters would atone for last year’s grand final defeat against Saints.
Cutters forward Tyron Harrison was outstanding in the opening term, kicking three goals as his side made full use of a handy breeze to lead 4.4 (28) to 1.2 (8) at the break.
But the change of ends saw Saints storm back into the contest.
The rumblings started with Matt Walsh. The full-forward kicked the first two goals of the quarter before Nathan Kabia added his own major to move Saints within sight of the lead.
In face of the onslaught, Cutters held their ground.
On-baller Matt Kofoed, arguably the best in a beaten side, booted two goals to steady Cutters’ campaign and help his team to a 6.6 (42) to 5.4 (34) halftime lead.
Energised after the break, Cutters went about trying to secure the premiership they had worked for since last November.
Saints on-baller Matt Dwyer goaled first in the quarter before Cutters assumed control.
Majors to Kofoed, Mick Douglas and a brace to Harrison broke Cutters clear. In the middle of the points rush, teammate Steve Davies grabbed a hanger Alex Jesaulenko would have been proud of.
Cutters looked on their way to a premiership but Kennedy goaled just before the siren to leave Saints trailing by 20 points.
The deficit proved retrievable.
Like bullets fired from a revolver, quick goals from Kennedy, Nick Preston and Clayton Lange after the restart punctured holes in Cutters’ self-belief.
When ruckman Matt Hammond kicked truly for Saints midway through the term, the reigning premiers had hit the front for the first time since the opening five minutes.
Centre half-forward Marcus McMillan split the sticks from a set shot to return Cutters to the lead but it was the last time his team reaped any joy from the scoreboard.
Driven by the brand of momentum they have trademarked the past month, Saints powered to victory by kicking five of the last six goals.
"We’ve been focusing on ourselves this week and nothing to do with the opposition," Kennedy said of the late surge.
"They (Cutters) played really well but Cairns Saints brewed up something pretty special this year.
"It would have taken a fair bit to stop us this last quarter."
Cutters coach Steve Daniel, who is returning to Victoria next season, was gutted by the loss. While Daniel attended his players, assistant coach Robbie Douglas tried to explain what went wrong.
"We addressed the boys at three-quarter time. Everything was positive, they looked each other in the eyes and said they were going to do it for each other," Douglas said.
"But Cairns Saints came out and wanted the ball more.
"Our guys, we told them what to do. We got the team rules but it didn’t happen as well as in the first three quarters."
Last Modified on 21/09/2009 15:32