The Tigers have confirmed their standing as AFL Cairns premiership threats this season, beating last year's champions Saints at Watsons Oval on Saturday in another close tussle bwtween the heavyweight sides.
There was less than a goal in it at the final break, but North Cairns pulled away from Saints as injuries hit and some tired legs showed.
Saints opened up a three-goal lead in the first quarter before Norths fought back within two points at the main break.
The final score blew out to 16.13-109 to 10.13-73, giving Norths two wins from two starts following their hiding of Cairns City Lions at home on Easter Friday to open the season.
It was a sweet result for returning Tiger Lukas Ehlich, who celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday after what was believed to be the Tigers' first win against Saints since 2009.
Ehlich was best on ground for Manunda when they beat Saints in the grand final two season ago and was again influential for the Tigers on Saturday.
Bone spurs in both feet restricted him to just three games on his return to junior club Norths last season, but the midfielder is back on deck this year and confident the breakthrough win would not be a flash in the pan.
"The way we went about it was good and gutsy," the midfielder and assistance coach said.
"They were going pretty hard at us and our backline held strong and we were able to get on top in that last quarter.
"We can't get carried away - I know the boys will keep working hard - but it's a good time to be back at the club."
Saints dominated last season, losing just one game when they were missing a host of Queensland Country representatives.
But Norths matched them across the park, holding their own in the midfield and making the most of the momentum when they had it.
"In that Manunda grand final win, we just had 22 blokes putting pressure on all over the park and that's what we did on Saturday," he said.
"We didn't get sucked into worrying about them and we didn't rush."
Saints co-captain Craig Ferrier was left nursing a foot injury yesterday, the extent of which will be determined during the week.
He was forced off in the third term, while ruckman Dan Liriges split the webbing in his finger in another cruicial loss.
"That's not an excuse, though," Ferrier said. "There's a lot of footy to be played yet; we don't like losing."
He said Norths had set the standard for them to meet this season. "We're behind the pack now and they have put themselves out there. We enjoy the contest and now we know where they are at this season."
Last Modified on 08/05/2013 13:57