NORTHS believe they are bigger, stronger and fresher than the corresponding semi-final last season against Saints and that it should help them qualify for their first grand final since 2004.
The Tigers were bundled out by Saints and then Manunda in the semi and preliminary final last season in a fade-out that captain-coach Kane Richter says has been addressed this season.
Indeed they have been the benchmark, their superb record only tempered by a loss to fourth-placed Souths in the final round and have fresh legs heading into the last three weeks of the season.
Richter said they would have an almost-complete squad to pick from at the selection table this week and that they wouldn't be carrying anyone into the finals.
"We were not quite right heading into that game last season and I think we were probably a little bit too small," Richter said.
"There are some bigger bodies this season and lots of experienced heads, who should be able to deal with the pressure that can get to people in finals."
It should be a cracking contest considering the form Saints and their record-breaking full forward Matt Walsh are in.
He broke his own goalkicking record last week to finish with 134 for the season nearly 100 more than the next-best in the league.
Richter said there was no question he would be crucial to Saints' chances, but he also understood they posed other threats and that Norths' defence could counter them.
"There will be some exciting match-ups and Walshy will obviously be influential," he said.
"He's in great form and it's a team job to silence him, because it comes down to the delivery he gets as well."
Norths' backman Dustin Mills is likely to get the job on him though, while Mitch Exton, Adam Mueller and Richter could also find themselves with the job if Walsh moves into the half-forward line.
"They've got lots of quality players who can kick goals though; Jesse Dixon, Brenton Powell and Glen Martin coming through the midfield," Richter clarified.
Not since the premiership was stripped from them in 2004 following a pre-grand final brawl, have the Tigers' senior side made a grand final.
Before that you have to trace the records back to 1988 to find a North Cairns premiership team.
But the Tigers finished the season as minor premiers in seniors and reserves and would love some silverware to signify their rebirth as a respected club.
"A lot of hard work has been done by a lot of different people to get us to the stage where we can have a crack at the likes of Saints and Port Douglas again," Richter said.
"Those people deserve the opportunity to play in or watch us play in a grand final. But you don't get given a spot in it, you have to earn it."
Meanwhile, Lukas Teasdale couldn't resist a return to Port Douglas and after anchoring the Crocs' comeback season he has a chance to deal with some unfinished business in the next three weeks.
The towering ruckman was part of the club's last premiership team in 2005 but left in 2011 unhappy with his form.
A stint on the Sunshine Coast playing gridiron was followed by a season off in Adelaide before he eventually caved to the urge to return home.
"I missed the lifestyle and I wanted to play at least one more year with the Crocs," he said.
"I want to finish playing like I know I can and so far that's going to plan."
Port missed the top four last season after enduring a club's worst nightmare and having to replace almost their entire senior squad.
Some of them have stuck around though and with the unmistakable frame of Teasdale at the centre bounce, have earned themselves third place and a shot at a flag in their 25th season.
In this campaign they only lost one game at home and showed at Griffiths Park against Saints last Saturday they could play good footy.
Despite letting a final-quarter lead slip, the Crocs head into tomorrow's semi-final against Souths confident they will still be alive on Sunday.
The winner will play the loser of Norths v Saints next Saturday for the remaining spot in the grand final on September 21.
"We played some good footy on the weekend and the biggest positive to come out of the loss was the belief that we can match it with Saints," Teasdale said.
"We kicked a few points there at the end. It could have been a different story if we kicked straight."
His battle with Souths' ruckman Luke Powell will be one of the highlights, and not just for the crowd.
"We've had some great battles over the years and he's a favourite of mine to play against because I'd class him as the best ruckman in Cairns," Teasdale said.
"He's a good friend of mine and we always keep an eye on how each other is travelling. If you can win that battle you get the ball moving in your direction."
Port have won all three games against the Cutters, the first in Cairns by a single point and the next two by an average of 110 points.
But Souths have beaten Norths in the last month and are deserving of their top-four spot, according to the ruckman.
"They're a tough group and we'll have to have the right mindset and do the little things, that's how you beat them. But we'll go in with confidence," Teasdale said.
Club president Andy Smith acknowledged that their finals-bound senior and reserve sides were a testament to the hard work done behind the scenes.
But he hopes there will be better things to talk about at the end-of-season dinner than top-four finishes.
"Sure, if things go well we can talk about winning a flag in a few weeks, but it's all about South Cairns right now," he said
Last Modified on 03/10/2013 12:51