THINGS have got a whole lot more interesting in the AFL Cairns competition after Manunda procured a 230-point turnaround on Saturday to end Saints' dream of an unbeaten season.
Cairns Saints beat the Hawks by 163 in round one, and then by 110 in May.
But, in a sign that the real Manunda had finally arrived, the defending premiers threw out the form guide to trounce the once seemingly invincible Saints, 22.14 (146) to 10.19 (79).
Missing Brenton Powell, Matt Walsh, Rohan Couch and Alex MacQueen on Queensland Country duties, it was going to be that bit tougher for Saints. But they could not have expected just how tough.
Saints had no answer to the slicker, faster Hawks and a sage Fred Pittorino, who kicked 13 goals.
That result, coupled with Port Douglas’ inspiring defeat of second-placed North Cairns, has flipped the league’s status quo on its head.
"I think all the teams will take a lot from that result, because we’ve shown that they are beatable," Hawks president Richard Martin said.
"But they are still certainly the team to beat, they are a fantastic team and I think it just adds another chapter to our rivalry." And what a peculiar rivalry it has been.
Similar things happened last season when Saints thrashed Manunda early in the season, backed it up with another mauling (92 points) in the qualifying final, only to lose to the same team by six goals in the decider.
In the last six years, both have won three flags and Saturday’s form reversal showed the two proud clubs would be going hard at it again.
"There have been some games in the last few years that have definitely added to that rivalry," Saints player-coach Nick Braybon said.
Despite acknowledging that they were clearly outclassed for the first time this season, Braybon kept things positive.
"We knew it was going to be a tough day, but it’s not humbling; it just lets the blokes know it’s not going to be a cakewalk this season," Braybon said.
"It’s disappointing though. They certainly beat us fair and square; we were constantly second to the ball and didn’t capitalise on our chances."
That included kicking just seven behinds in the second term, as Manunda established a decisive 46-point lead.
Pittorino, the veteran forward from Chillagoe, turned back the clock to give Braybon nightmares with his ability in the marking contest. And it was redemption for the quiet achiever after being dropped from last year’s grand final.
"We couldn’t stop him – to kick 13 is a really good effort," he said. The absence of Braybon’s co-coach Brenton Powell in the midfield – Saints’ best and fairest last season – was telling, particularly because Manunda’s had been bolstered by Northern Territory hired gun Lincoln Withers.
"Lincoln’s played professionally all over Australia for the last 15 years and he really brings a very strong presence to the midfield," Martin said.
"People will say, geez you’ve got a lot of new players, but they were always coming, we just had to make sure they had a job lined up first."
Last Modified on 25/09/2012 10:31