Cairns Saints AFL Cairns title defence is starting to look like a Rocky movie.
The reigning premiers are three quarters of the way through their fight and look a bit tenderised after absorbing some heavy hits.
But anyone who has watched Saints the past two season know there is going to be that moment when they start hitting back.
Saints player-coach James Coatsworth hopes Sunday’s match against the Manunda Hawks at Cazalys is when they land their first knee buckling blow.
The sides are equal on 36points but Saints sit on spot ahead of Hawks in third on the ladder thanks to a superior percentage.
Saints have lost three of their past four games but have been weakened by injuries.
Rarely, if ever, this season have they had the luxury of naming their strongest line-up.
Coatsworth, who kicked seven goals against South Cairns last week in his first game since Round 8, said Saints could not afford too many more losses.
“When you look at it North Cairns are only about two games out of the four,” he said. “We still think we’re a chance of getting that second spot but we need to improve because we haven’t been playing good footy.
“We’ve had a few injuries and had a few unavailable with school holidays but hopefully we get some players back and can have a good finish to the year.”
Hawks will not be short of confidence after winning a vital encounter against Norths last week despite trailing by 24 points in the last term.
“It will be a tough game,” Coastsworth said of Sunday’s match.
“They’ve got some good young players and a fair bit of speed.
“It’ll be good test for us today.”
In other games on Sunday, Centrals Trinity Beach host Norths at Crathern Oval, while South Cairns take on Cairns City Cobras at Fretwell Park.
Last Modified on 29/10/2010 12:38