Tigers coach Rod O'Reily has defended his hard line on junior development at the Cairns club ahead of tomorrow's clash with Manunda.
North Cairns will again play talented youngsters in key positions tomorrow, as will Manunda in a game that wil show some of the region's best prospects.
O'Reily put his foot down when one of those, onballer Mitch Koch, played Colts the night before their seniors clash a fortnight ago.
As a result Tigers' Colts coach Nick Potter was stood down, O'Reily sayng the structure he had put in place was to be followed or else.
"If they are named in seniors theya re going to be in my 18 and shouldn't be playing Colts, too," O'Reily said.
"Where I come from when a senior coach gives instructions they should be followed.
"It was a tough call and we don't want to decimate our Colts, but if you look at the bigger picture this is in the best interests of the club."
He said with the club not spending big money on recruits it was essential it focused on junior development.
"And a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make sure that's successful," he said.
Koch, who has booted six goals in two senior games this season, backed the call.
"The only way you're going to get better is by playing against the men, and I want to go and have a good crack with my footy so I'm happy to focus on seniors," the 17-year-old said.
"I was pretty disappointed to miss out on Queensland (under-18) selection, but I'm hunry, I've worked hard and I'm expecting a lot from myself this season."
He backed the new coach, who took over from playing-coach Kane Richter this season, after their 2-0 start.
"He knows his stuff and is very professional about how he goes about it."
Richter, who is an assistant under O'Reily, is enjoyng the release from the extra responsibilities and said the team was behind its new leader.
"He does things differntly from me, so I have to manage my own thoughts," he said.
"But I can prepare and warm up myself now and my body feels better as a result."
The Good Friday clash is unique to the Cairns sporting scene as the only live sport scheduled for the day.
A specially licensed bar will operate from noon, while the canteen will serve fish burgers and fish and chips.
Reserve grade starts at 1pm and seniors from 3pm.
Last Modified on 06/11/2014 15:05