By Beverly Warnest
North Cairns convincing defeated Centrals Trinity Beach at Watsons Oval on Saturday, but it came at a huge costs with a possible season-ending ankle injury to young gun Atiba Jackson.
In a tragedy of Shakespearean portions – the 17-year-old was named in the Interleague representative squad on Wednesday - the up-and-coming star suffered a broke ankle in the final minutes of the last quarter after an innocuous clash in the front-pocket.
Tigers player-coach Troy McGuane said the injury, in Jackson’s second first-grade game, was a devastating blow.
“I’m shattered for Atiba, he’s a great young kid, he does everything right and he obviously loves his football and now he has a broken ankle,” McGuane said.
“I just hope he can come back as good as he was, it’s a tragic accident.
“He’s such a talent, I’m sure he would have played for the Cairns Interleague side and now he’s going to miss out.”
North’s were never threatened by the Bulldogs in their fifth-round 14.22 (106) to 9.10 (64) victory, their fourth of the season.
An unusually strong easterly wind produced tricky goal-kicking conditions leading to an overdose of minor scores for the home side.
The Tigers forward line including specialist pocket player Nayce Lowe, and Anthony Pierri gave the Tigers the ammunition they needed to maul the dogs.
Goal kicking machine Lowe, returning from a week-off with a calf injury, booted five and Pierri three.
The coastal club lacked a spearhead up front and struggled to bring the ball into their 50m, especially in the first half, although Heath Barnett finished with four.
Playing with little too no fire in their belly, Centrals missed playmaker Andrew Sirrawoski, who is expected to return in a fortnight after recovering from a calf injury. Ruck man Peter Reynolds and Mark Lonegan were both unavailable.
Trailing by 25-point at the main break the Bulldogs returned to the paddock hunger than the first stanza, displaying greater desperation for the ball.
Ill-disciple reduced both teams effectiveness in the third quarter with numerous 50m penalties given away by both sides.
The game was out of reach for Trinity Beach at the final break, trailing by 33-points.
Tiger mentor McGuane unhappy with his chargers overall performance and lack of discipline.
“We won by seven goals, but it was a disappointing performance because the things we said we were going to do we didn’t” McGuane said.“We didn’t push back in defence, and we didn’t deliver well in our forward 50.
“But the intensity was there and the boys were good enough to get a win
“Something I hate is ill-discipline, the boys will pay for that during the week.”
Centrals take on second-placed Cairns Saints at home next Sunday, the Tigers travel to Port Douglas.
Last Modified on 11/02/2009 10:11