League leaders Saints and Tigers went goal for goal in respective big wins on Saturday and will clash this weekend in a battle that could decide top spot on the AFL Cairns ladder.
While Saints were ruthless in kicking 29 goals against Manunda, it was a case of anything you can do, I can do better for North Cairns as they booted 38 goals past a hapless Cairns City Lions at Holloways Beach.
The pair of drubbings completed a lopsided weekend of football that started early with Port Douglas's strangulation of Centrals Trinity Beach on Thursday night.
Saints played some of their best football as they ousted a battling Manunda team 29.12 (186) to 9.7 (61), with midfielder Ben Hallas acknowledging it was one of their best showings this season.
"Speaking with the coaches afterwards they were all pretty happy with the four-quarter effort," he said.
Manunda went with a predominantly local side, with many of their juniors battling bravely against Saints' bigger bodies.
"History shows that Manunda get better towards the end of the season so you've got to be wary of them," Hallas said.
Hallas was inventive in the engine room along with the inform Brenton Powell, returning enforcer Nick Braybon and ever-green full forward Matthew Walsh.
Walsh booted 11 majors to take his season tally to 78. "It's the best I've seen him play in four seasons," Hallas said.
"Not just his goal tally, it's his second efforts and tackling and providing for teammates. "And big Nick is showing the form he had before breaking his arm too."
Hallas said the team was made aware of the Tigers' 38.18 (246) to 4.4 (28) win shortly after their big win.
"We have them next week and it could really decide where we finish up," he said.
Norths' continued to strengthen their squad with the addition of former Carlton international scholarship holder Peter Labi.
The athletic youngster hails from Papua New Guinea and debuted with two goals and a mention amongst Norths' best.
His side kicked 10 goals in the first quarter and barely slowed down.
Despite the weekend's mismatches - the winning margins were 83, 125 and 218 - Hallas was confident the lower-placed teams were doing the right things to turn it around.
"We know Manunda have a good sqaud there, Marc Harbrow is a ripper bloke to have on board at Lions and Centrals have a great coach too," he said.
"Everyone knows you need wins at the end of the day, but it takes a few years to build that winning culture."
Last Modified on 10/09/2013 16:11