Cairns Saints will take winning but not necessarily their best form into the AFL Cairns final series after holding off a determined Cairns City Cobras at Griffiths Park on Saturday.
The reigning premiers won the contest 15.12-102 to 12.5-77 but only led by six points at three-quarter time.
Given the form they have shown in the past month which includes victories against top four sides the Manunda Hawks and Centrals Trinity Beach, Cobras always boasted the capability to confidence to push Saints.
Saints defender Josh Martin said it was clear Cobras were desperate to end their year with a win.
“We were down a bit and they were up for it” he said. “They aren’t going to be playing in the finals. They wanted to finish their season on a high and they had a real crack. “It wasn’t dirty or anything out there. It was just a good, hard game or footy”
With the regular season over, Saints can turn their attention to this Saturday’s semi-final against undefeated minor premiers Port Douglas.
The two sides have played each other three times this season, with the Crocs winning all three clashes.
The first two victories were thrashings but the Crocs had to find their best to beat Saints by 23 points in their last encounter two weeks ago.
With Saturday’s winner to qualify for the Grand Final, Martin and Saints would leave nothing in the Tank.
“Ask us about eight weeks ago we probably would’ve been happy to make third or fourth but to finish second is great,” he said. “Not just for the second chance but it allows us to have a real crack at Port Douglas early in the final series. For the team that hasn’t lost all season, the pressure is probably all on them. If both sides are full on strength, it should be a fantastic game.’
The crocs prepared for the Saints clash with a 29.11-185 to 12.11-83 mauling of Centrals Trinity Beach in the tourist town.
Fresh off booting his 100th goal last week, Crocs forward Matt Shaw added another eight to his tally.
In Saturdays other games, the Manunda Hawks flogged North Cairns 21.12-138 to 12.17-89.
Dan Hurley booted six majors for the Hawks.
Last Modified on 08/02/2011 10:52