Sport
17 April, 2025
AFL ‘25 season kicks off
South Cairns Cutters set the standard with two fantastic wins
South Cairns Cutters (13.12, 90) def Cairns Saints (7.13, 55)
CUTTERS got their premiership defence off to a winning start against a valiant Saints outfit at Fretwell on Saturday. Saints were boosted by the return of two of their stalwarts, Zak Straker and Adam Gross, as they look to get back to finals footy in season 2025, with Gross marking his return with three goals. Cutters, though, were just too strong as the game showed, only conceding two goals in a suffocating second half. Evergreen James Dixon kicked five in his 381st game.
South Cairns Cutters Women (4.4, 28) def Cairns Saints (0.3, 3)
IT was a double victory for the South Cairns club to start the season, as the women’s team also took care of business against their Saints counterparts. It was a great start to the season for Cutters, who will be looking to build on their fourth-placed finish from last season and go deeper in the finals. Their defence stood up all game before kicking away in the second half. For the Saints, there were plenty of positives to take away, despite the loss and they will be pleased at how they acquitted themselves against a finals team, especially after drawing the fourth quarter.
Cairns City Lions (8.17, 65) def Port Douglas Crocs (7.7, 49)
THE game of the round certainly lived up to the billing, with the score being tied up at 41-all at three quarter time, before the Lions finally pulled away in the fourth in front of their home fans. With the victory, Lions showed that their elimination final upset over the same opponent last year was no fluke, as they continue to build after their 2023 blip. Port did well to stick around faced with the mammoth shot total from the Lions and deserve some credit for the ensuing inaccuracy.
Cairns City Lions Women (12.11, 83) def Port Douglas Crocs (0.0, 0)
TALK about a statement victory. Lions fired a warning shot across the bow of the whole competition in their demolition of the Crocs on Saturday, clearly outlining that they believe they will be the team to beat again in season 2025. They ripped the game open in the first half, kicking eight goals, while a special mention must go Lusa Wagia, who kicked six. It was a lesson for the second year Crocs, who might be eyeing finals footy in their second year.
Manunda Hawks (12.10. 82) def by Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs (21.18, 144).
SPECTATORS were treated to a goal scoring bonanza at Cazalys on Saturday, as they watched a total of 35 goals go through, with Jack Ormay, Liam Odea and Josh Butland helping themselves to four each. It is early doors in season 2025, but after struggling to impact the scoreboard last year, both teams will be relatively happy with their attacking output to start season 2025. As two teams who missed finals last year, they will be hoping that they have unlocked a more threatening line-up to challenge every team on a more consistent basis this year.
