Sport
26 July, 2024
Crucial match at Manunda
CAIRNS Saints will be out looking for revenge against the Crocs this weekend at Griffiths Park.
Cairns Saints host Port Douglas Crocs
The reverse fixture saw Port win their first ever game in the competition, but that remains the only win for either team so far in season 2024.
As is often the case, both teams have been better than their win/loss record suggests, and Saints will be desperate to get their first win on the board.
It will come down to whether Saints can be more efficient and accurate inside forward 50, or if the Crocs can break down the resilient and desperate Saints defence early.
Prediction: Crocs by 10.
North Cairns Tigers host Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs
A CRUCIAL clash for both teams at Watson’s on Saturday evening.
For the home team, they could go two games plus percentage clear of third, going a long way to sealing a double chance come finals time.
There is also the outside chance they could sneak into first should Lions slip up again.
For the Dogs, a victory could see them end the round in the top four for the first time this season.
That will take an almighty effort from the Dogs. They will have to exploit the little to non-existent holes in a Tigers team that is firing on all cylinders.
The Dogs have surely been investigating the tape from the Tigers’ two defeats this season.
Prediction: Tigers by 16.
South Cairns Cutters host Cairns City Lions
CUTTERS are looking to re-solidify their place in the top four after letting the Dogs back in last week, losing their virtual “eight-pointer”.
They will face no tougher opponent than the ladder leading Lions, who have only lost once this season.
That loss was against last season’s premiers the Hawks, so it can hardly be considered a bad loss.
Saturday’s contest looms as an intriguing battle between contrasting styles. Lions have had slick ball movement through all parts of the ground (just look at their percentage) while Cutters have been bruising in their preference to do battle at the coal face and dominate contested possessions.
Preduction: Lions by 15.
