Many Clubs claim pre-season competitions are meaningless but not North Cairns.
The AFL Cairns club has been through turmoil on and off the field in the recent years but has qualified for the pre-season grand final after winning one of its two games at Cazalys on Saturday
The tigers were outclassed by PNG 5.5(35) to 4.2(26) in their first game before bouncing back with a 6.8(44) to 3.4(22) winning over reigning premiers Cairns Saints.
Coach Brett Oakley said the club was happy to be “playing off for some sort of silverware”
“After ending up on the bottom of the ladder last year we’d like to win it. Even though it’s a pre-season cup game it would be good for the morale of the players” he said.
Oakley said the players had taken time to adjust to PNG’s unique brand of football in the first game.
“All of the players were saying that they were so quick and hard at the football and it’s hard to compete against them because they play a bit different style of football” he said. “There very talented that’s for sure”
Brisbane Lions premiership player Mal Michael proved the difference late in the game, kicking several goals. Oakley said not much could be taken for the win over the Saints.
“They are a very classy side and a good club and I expect them to come out firing a bit the next time we play them,” he said.
The Tigers will play Centrals Trinity Beach in the final at Cazalys on Saturday.
The match starts at 3pm, with a curtain-raiser between PNG and South Cairns kicking off at 1.30pm.
Last Modified on 27/10/2010 15:20