WHAT started as a contest ended as a training drill for North Cairns as they disposed of their first-round opponents Cairns City Lions in a Good Friday masterclass.
The Lions left Watson's Oval licking their wounds against the Tigers in the battle of the cats, aware they will need to lift their fitness levels and skill under pressure if they want to compete with the elite this season.
In front of a healthy home crowd, the Tigers finished 37.12(234) to 12.8(80) winners to establish themselves as one of the teams to beat this season.
It did not look as if it would finish that way earlier in the contest though, as the Lions trailed by only two goals at quarter time.
Into the breeze, they were able to win enough contested possessions and have the numbers around the ball to squeeze it forward and get rewards.
The running and work rate that required hurt them, though, and it was a notably flatter Lions outfit that played out the remaining three quarters.
Heads dropped as no less than four makeable shots on goal were missed in the third term and by full time, in what was another 30-plus minute quarter, they were basically standing still.
"I told them after the game that we'd need to stick together 'cause we had a lot of hard work to do. We're a month or so off the pace, our fitness is nowhere near the level of teams like Norths and we'll need to be doing extra sessions to get there," Lions coach Jason Roe said.
There was enough class out on the paddock for the Lions to stay positive though. With at least two more joining the squad fresh from a season in Darwin next week they will enter the clash with Manunda Hawks in a better frame of mind.
The Tigers, who thanked their big home crowd before entering the dugout to sing the team song, had quality all over the park in an impressive continuation of their pre-season form.
New face up front Travis Thorne - known more recently for his basketball ability - was particularly impressive, providing a clean set of hands, some clever leads and an accurate boot to complement a strong forward line.
He and Rex Liddy were constant nuisances up front, while Kane Richter, Lukas Ehlich, Dwayne Bosen and returning Tiger Willie Alick fed the forwards all day.
For the Lions, Manunda recruits Marc Harbrow and Damien Roe had impressive debuts.
"Norths are going to be a challenge this season," Roe said in a community service announcement for other clubs.
Last Modified on 08/05/2013 13:42