Sport
3 May, 2024
Big win by City Lions tipped
South Cairns Cutters vs Port Douglas Crocs at Fretwell Park, May 4. After a rousing 40-point, final term comeback on ANZAC Day, Cutters look to truly stamp their premiership credentials against last year premiers.
Cutters will have immense faith in their team moving forward, knowing they can come back from anywhere and will be keen to flex their muscle against the premiers.
Despite his tactical acumen and flexibility that helped sparked the comeback, coach Daryn Cresswell’s major concern will be playing four quarters of footy.
The Crocs make their furthest trip for 2024 back in the winner’s circle after a resounding 94-point victory against the Dogs.
The Crocs will embrace the challenge of being ‘The Hunted’ this year and will want to show Souths, and the comp, that they are still number one.
What is looming as one of the keys to their defence is the continued integration of their impressive youth players. It will be fascinating to see how they handle the pressure cooker of Fretwell when the Cutters are up and about.
Prediction: Souths, buoyed by ANZAC Day, stamp their ticket as premiership fancies.
Souths by 20.
Cairns City Lions vs Manunda Hawks at ITEC Group Oval, May 4
Coming off their first bye, City Lions will be very keen to open their home account on Saturday with what looms to be an important match as they look to vault back into the finals in 2024.
So ruthless during their championship years, they will be desperate to reclaim that identity again in season 2024.
Lions will have noticed that Hawks have started slowly this year and will want to deliver the knockout blow as early as possible.
For the Hawks, this game is a vital eight-pointer for a squad with designs on playing finals footy in 2024.
There is a lot to be positive about if you are the Hawks. Their key imports are delivering week-in and week-out, skipper Troy Barbero continues to excel, and excitement machine Ezekial Frank leads all goal kickers with 11. Key for the Hawks will be getting Frank some forward line help; he has kicked 11 out of 21 goals.
Prediction: Lions too strong and too eager at home.
Lions by 33.
Cairns Saints vs Central TB Bulldogs at Griffiths Park 1, May 4
Saints know that a win could put them back into the top four.
After sitting on the pine for round 2, they registered their first win of the season against the Hawks in round 3. While the win signified a job done, Saints will know they can reach greater and silkier heights after kicking 4.8 in the second half.
Back on their home deck, they will be licking their chops at coming up against a new look Bulldogs, looking to further gel as a different team to one Saints fans have seen in recent years.
For the Bulldogs, it is about putting a horror last couple of weeks behind them and building towards their first bye in round 6. Before they get there, they will have to face a rebuilding Saints team. In a similarly rebuilding phase, the Bulldogs will know the pressures faced by Saints and will feel confident on capitalising should the opportunity arise. Quality entries into the forward 50 will be key.
Prediction: Saints continue to build, but Bulldogs make them work for it.
Saints by 23.
