THE last time Manunda failed to win the AFL Cairns premiership, John Howard was Prime Minister, fuel prices were under $1.10 a litre and Ben Cousins' off-field antics where still the stuff of rumour.
That was 2005. Since then Mr Howard has been ousted by Kevin Rudd, fuel has topped $1.50 a litre and Cousins – well the less said the better.
But at least the Hawks are determined to make sure one thing remains the same. The Hawks are chasing a trifecta of premierships and with a top-four spot secure they finetune their finals campaign with a match against second-placed South Cairns at Cazalys Stadium tomorrow.
While there is another round left in the regular season, the Hawks have the bye next weekend meaning coach Michael Purcell has only one more chance to see his team in action.
Purcell, however, said the break before finals would be welcomed.
"Probably for us it’s not too bad. We’ve played five or six games straight and some of the boys are in need of a freshen up," he said.
"(Tomorrow) I’m just looking for four quarters from the boys. This is a very important game for us because there is a good chance we’ll be playing Souths in the finals."
The last time the teams met was in round 13 and while the Hawks left Fretwell Park with the points that day the game is most remembered for the season-ending injures suffered by Cutters stars Marcus McMillan and Pat Rattray.
The reigning premiers have won eight of their past nine games, with their only loss coming against the ladder-leading Cairns Saints.
In other games today, Centrals Trinity Beach will have to put aside the disappointment of missing this year’s finals to play premiership favourites the Saints at Crathern Park, while top-four side Port Douglas will finalise its September assault with a game against Norths at Watsons Oval.
Last Modified on 05/06/2009 14:54