Reigning Premiers Manunda
Hawks suffered their second loss in as many weeks and plummeted to the bottom of
the AFL Cairns ladder after a defeat at the hands of Centrals Trinity Beach at Crathern Park.
An after the siren goal from
a 50m penalty gave the Bulldogs a 3 point win and their first 4 points for the
season.
The match was tight all day,
with just a point in it at the main break in favour of the visitors.
At three-quarter time Hawks
look to have the game in control with a 10 point lead, which they extended to
18 around half way through the final term.
Centrals found their way to goal and began successfully reducing the
deficit.
In the dying seconds Manunda
Hawks were attacking but were caught out trying the bring the ball back into
the corridor with the pass cut off by Centrals bigman Cameron Bartlett. Bartlett was dragged to ground after taking the grab, resulting in the 50m penalty,
which took him to 20m from goal.
Pressure was on as the siren had sounded and Centrals were down by 3
points. He goaled and Centrals
celebrated their victory.
Joel Kreek, Heath Barnard
and Cameron Bartlett were strong up forward for Centrals, scoring 13 of
Centrals 16 majors.
Hawks showed great
improvement all over the field with the inclusion Gabby Weetra and Kevin
Rundle, giving them targets up forward.
They both finished with 4 goals.
Luke Powell also returned to the side after missing Round 1 through a 1
match suspension after the 2007 Grand Final.
With Ryan Cypher and Dayle
Muscat still to return to the line up, Hawks will continue to improve over the
next few weeks.
Last Modified on 11/02/2009 10:12