New North Cairns coach Rod O'Riley has lauded his make-shift team's round one defeat of champions Saints as one of the toughest displays he has witnessed.
The mentor was on hand as assistant to watch the Tigers go down to Saints in a classic AFL Cairns grand final at Cazalys last September.
Now in charge, he led them to a nerve-racking three-point win - 11.12.(78) to 10.15(75) - on the same ground on Friday night in a classic opening to the new season.
Missing a host of regular players, including captain Kane Richer, former captain Brendan Tennick and experienced Willie Alick, the young Tigers held an early advantage before creating a buffer either side of the third quarter and holding on for the win.
Starting the final quarter with a 12-point lead, Sam McCorkell kicked the next one for the Tigers before Adam Mueller (four goals) stuck a low, hard mark and goaled from nearly 50m to set up what appeared to be a match-winning lead in horridly hot and sweaty conditions.
But Saints, who held the physical edge with a much larger side despite giving away some speed, lifted a gear to reply with a Timothy Lamprill major.
Co-captain Jesse Dixon then launched a long-range-effort to make it a five-point game, but despite controlling the final stages of the match they could not find the match-winner.
"To know who we had out there - these kids, all just having a crack and leading the way - it was one of the gutsiest things I've seen as a coach," O'Riley said.
"Everyone was cramping severely. They really got into us and were able to push through it and that was a pleasing sign."
"Full credit to Saints too, because it was a real contest and it was a game worth watching."
Norths fielded a noticeabley smaller side but it meant they were quick around the edges.
So it was no surprise Saints used their physical advantage to ruffle feathers and Norths did their best to damage on the outside.
Last season's record-breaking golden boot winner Matt Walsh was restricted to the one goal, with Dixon providing great servce all night and also finishing with two goals, along with Lamprill.
Alex Macqueen, best on ground in last year's grand final, was used effectively in the midfield for Saints while Dustin Mills was his usually solid self for the Tigers.
Yesterday afternoon South Cairns continued their insipired start to the season, thumping Cairns City Lions 18.18(126) to 9.7(61).
It comes after their Preseason Cup victory against Saints last weekend.
Last Modified on 06/11/2014 15:09