The Cairns City Lions showed all the hallmarks of a competitive side at home yesterday - the problem was that the game was already over before they did.
Having knocked off Manunda Hawks in a tense four-point win last weekend, they entered the Sunday afternoon clash against Centrals Trinity with the form and home-ground advantage.
It hardly looked it though, as they limped through the first two quarters with barely a whimper.
Trailing 3.9 (27) to 10.8 (68), the Bulldogs had the Lions on their knees. Their fans knew it too, in the stands a baby was crying and the joke was that it had probably read the scoreboard.
The 14.14 (98) to 7.19 (61) win puts the Bulldogs equal on points with fourth-placed South Cairns, but behind on percentage (76.82 to 59.70).
And in the early stages they looked a finals side, stringing together kicks from the back via Ben Graham and Baden Crathern through the centre with Tyson Ednie, Clint Guy and Josh Westerberg and into the forward line. There Josh Brinn was on song to finish with four goals and strong marks, including a big grab in the final quarter.
That was one of the few highlights in a ho-hum second half, with the result all but sealed.
Centrals have a tricky run home that includes Manunda, Saints and Norths. A bye will give them four valuable points.
The Lions were certainly better in the final two stanzas, competing harder and providing cleaner ball.
Young talent Jaden Kynuna booted two fine goals, and Toby Fatnowna, Tom Nichols, Marc Harbrow and Damien Roe were more fluent through the centre.
Courtesy of all those players they have the skill, speed and composure to be a good side.
And in giant Liam Woodcock-Nowlan they have a target, which all bodes well for next season.
Last Modified on 23/09/2013 15:35