A depleted South Cairns remain undefeated after handing out North Cairns first loss of the season 17:12 (114) to 15:9 (99) in the inaugural AFL Cairns ANZAC game at Watsons Oval on Friday.
Both teams went into the fourth-round match-up under-strength due to player unavailability and injury, but by half-time injuries had reduced the Cutters bench to a solitary player.
The first of Souths injury toll came in the second stanza when Scott Shelley coped a solid hip and shoulder from North’s Nick Potter which had him leave the ground with a shoulder injury.Team mates Jace Kelly (hamstring) and Hayden Foss (hand) would join him on the pine before the main break.
All side-lined personnel ply their craft in the midfield, and South’s rotational game plan was thrown into disarray. At half time, unavailability and injury had 10 of the sides starting 18 missing from the field. Tiger Dwayne Bosen kicked the first major of the game before Cutters full forwarded Ray Rattray booted three of his four goals helping his team to a two goal lead at quarter time.
When the game resumed and Souths deadly free flowing running game came to the fore, North’s managed to muscled-up and nullify the competition pace-setters.Tiger Anthony Perri’s after the siren kick for goal had the black and gold entered the sheds leading 63-60 at the main break. The forward pocket finish the day with six.
Norths continued to play desperate football in the second half constantly hassling and haggling their skilled opponents, never letting them take control of the game.
Souths full forward Marcus McMillian gave his team something to aim for up front taking strong aerial marks and finishing the game with eight majors.
Cutters were not alone in their injury woes. Umpire Peter Balch was lost to the game for the last quarter after tearing a hamstring, leaving the adjudicating to Ray Hocking and Ben Koch.
The home side also played with a marginalised team list missing dominant forward Nayce Lowe (right calf), half back flanker Josh Hyde, Nathan Sandford and young gun Abita Jackson.
Cutters coach Steve Daniels acknowledged injuries had effected his game plan, but believes it’s a clubs responsibility to put together a strong team list.
“I think it’s the job of a coach to recruit depth to a club and make sure you’re got the depth there when you have injuries,” Daniels said.
Both sides wore black bands as a mark of respect for Australia’s sacred day of remembrance.Before the game, players and officials formed a guard of honour as an emotional rendition of the last post was played in front of a big crowd.
Foundation club presidents Cutters Jeff Lyon and Norths Brett Potter both agreed the ANZAC clash is a fitting way to honour Australia’s fallen.“It’s AFL Cairns way, and North and South Cairns way of saying thank you to past and current service personnel,” Lyon said.
“If it wasn’t for those people we probably wouldn’t be playing Australian rules football.”Undefeated Souths have a bye next weekend, Tigers play Centrals Trinity Beach at Watsons.
By Beverly Warnest
Last Modified on 11/02/2009 10:11