North Cairns have opened their 2008 account with a comfortable 25-point win against the Cairns City Cobras at Watsons Oval on Saturday.
Tigers forwards Anthony Pierri and Nayce Lowe gave last years cellar-dwellers plenty of firepower up front in their 18.9 (105) to 12.8 (80) win.
Pierri booted six and Lowe reaped the rewards of constantly playing in front of his opponent kicking five in the first match of the 21-round competition.
Cobra new recruit, former West Adelaide player Dylan Kent controlled the centre-half forward line with strong marking kicking seven goals in his debut game in his new home town
Leading 20-12 at the first break Tigers playing-coach Troy McGuane asked his troops to run hard as rotation from the bench would be the key to keeping players fresh.
City Cobras stepped-up when they returned to the field kicking three quick goals in 10-minutes, including two off the boot of Kent, to bring them within one point of the opposition 26-25.
But Norths got hungry and locked the ball in their forward line under the guidance of Pierri and Lowe allowing them to create a 66-26 lead at the major break.
The margin blew-out to 50-points nine-minutes into the third quarter before the blue and white started to tidy up the scoreboard.
Both teams began to show the effect of a first round hit-out with numerous players cramping in the legs before the Cobras set about reducing the margin to a 25-point.
While not happy with the loss Cobra player-coach Aaron Nesbitt found positives in the match.
I was disappointed in the first half, but I was pleased with the way the game went all things considered, Nesbitt said.
We still have seven players to come back into the side, (due to a wedding) which is why Im not too disappointed.
It could have been a blow-out, so in the end I was pretty happy with where the boys finished.
The 27-year-old first year Senior coach noted the performance of Brian Barlow in his 100th game for the Club.
We used him has an impact player up forward, obviously he hasnât had a full preseason, but with a bit more fitness he will give us a bit more up front.
Tigers playing-coach McGuane satisfied with a first up win after 18 losses in 2007.
Weve had a long and constructive pre-season, so we are pretty happy with the way the boys put things together, McGuane said.
Our objective this year is to develop our kids, we plan to play five or six 16, 17, 18-year-olds each week.
We want to make the finals this year while developing the kids.
Cobras play at home next Saturday when they take on Port Douglas in the Ports first outing of the season having sat out round one with the Bye.
The Tigers will play defending premiers the Hawks at Cazalys Stadium in a fortnight.
By Beverly Warnest
Last Modified on 11/02/2009 10:13