Cairns Saints repelled a mini fight back from the Centrals Trinity to maintain their flawless start to the Cairns AFL season at Griffiths Park on Saturday. In a low-scoring and defensively minded clash despite perfect conditions, Saints held their opponent at arms’ length throughout the contest, but never quashed the chance of an upset until the final 10 minutes.
Contributing to the stifled scoring was a lack of potent forward options for both sides – with Saints focal point Reece Poynter struggling to assert himself on the contest. Saints coach James Coatsworth said he was counting down the days until the return of last season’s 100-goal forward Matt Walsh.
"Our forward line really struggled," he said. "We can’t wait to get Walsh back, hopefully that will help things out down there."
Walsh is yet to play a game this season, but Coatsworth insisted his return was
imminent.
A half-hearted surge by Centrals in the final quarter never seriously threatened, with the Saints seemingly confident they had something in reserve with the aid of the breeze. Centrals momentarily got to within three kicks, after quickly booting a goal against the wind to open the final stanza, then receiving a 50m penalty which led to a goal with the most of the quarter remaining.
But the Saints finally used the wind at their backs to effect with more direct football, halting the momentum of Centrals to run away with the match by 30 points. Coatsworth, who booted three goals in a best afield display, praised the efforts of the resilient Saints backline.
"The back six really held us together," he said.
Read more at http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/05/02/161691_local-sport-news.html
Courtesy of The Cairns Post
Last Modified on 11/05/2011 12:14