Souths recruit Luke Powell believes North Cairns may have peaked too early following his sides's massive upset defeat of AFL Cairns' top side on Saturday.
The Cutters shocked the local footy community by knocking off the Tigers at Watsons Oval, coming out comfortable 16.9 (105) to 10.13 (73) winners.
And it helped Souths leap-frog Manunda back into fourth spot and in the box seat to play finals.
Before the weekend Saints were the only team to have beaten Norths, but after his side's triumph Powell said the Tigers looked much more vulnerable.
"I think they may have peaked too early," he said.
"Lots of people thought we were joking when I told them the score, but we went in with desire and a belief we could beat them."
Norths have dominated opposition midfields all season, but it was Souths who were winning the contested ball.
Once they had possession, club favourite Billy English did a superb job in piloting the ship.
"He's a gun," Powell surmised. "Always picks up lots of ball and just directs traffic. He's just that general that a side needs."
Powell slotted back into the ruck, while young talent Ricky Misener (three goals) was again amongst the action.
Souths planned to come hard at the hosts and did just that to build a 15-point quarter-time lead.
Norths rallied, kicking five goals to two and taking a seven-point buffer to the main break. But they could only muster four goals for the remainder of the contest as Souths kicked 10.
"Norths are very good front-runners so we knew we needed to start well. Once you have a lead, then you can see how the opposition reacts," Powell said.
Souths travel to Port next week but will do so with confidence, while Manunda have a chance to answer Souths' statement with a good performance against Norths of their own.
Last Modified on 23/09/2013 15:39