North Cairns left their run late, but in the end it was perfectly timed; the home side snatching a one point win - 12.8 (80) to 11.13 (79) - over South Cairns in one of the matches of the season at Watsons Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Trailing for more than three quarters after a frenetic five-goal opening term to an on-song Cutters, the Tigers slowly clawed back to seal an emphatic AFL Cairns win. Miraculous goals from deep inside the right and left pocket to Anthony Fenton and Anthony Stewart respectively gave them the lead for the first time in the game.
Stewart’s was extra-special after he screwed his first attempt off the side of the boot, only to grubber it through the sticks on the finest of angles.
Souths kicked a goal in reply and then a behind shortly after put them one point behind. But in the ensuing five minutes they could not get the ball inside the forward 50m and the Tigers clung on for victory.
Dwayne Bosen did not kick a goal but he was undoubtedly the star for the Tigers. Whether he was tormenting defenders down the right flank, or intimidating Cutters forwards on the left, Bosen was unstoppable. Not soon after taking a spectacular one-handed grab in the second quarter he set up two goals with a combination of fierce tackling, slick handling off the deck and spearing passes.
Jesse Batten was a constant target up front and his four goals – some from as far as 50m out – came at regular intervals to ensure they slowly made up ground after Cutters had leapt to a 20-point quarter time lead.
Andy Garret’s speed and composure was again mesmerising while for the Cutters Chris Adams was steady in the midfield and new boy James Pile, along with skipper Michael Markham and 15-year-old Grant Phillips all stood tall.
Tigers coach Kane Richter said it was the best game he had seen Bosen play.
"It was good, it was real good. We were a little undermanned and a young side and the boys really stood up and showed a tremendous amount of courage," he said.
Read more at http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/06/27/171321_local-sport-news.html
Courtesy of The Cairns Post.
Last Modified on 28/06/2011 14:32