Sport
13 July, 2024
PD Crocs should beat Cutters
Cairns Round 12 Men’s Preview A CRUCIAL fixture to headline round 12. Port are top of the table by virtue of their superior percentage and having played one more game than the Cutters, who are chasing them after having their hopes of an unbeaten season dashed by Norths a couple of weeks ago.
Port Douglas Crocs host South Cairns Cutters
The victor of this clash will have the inside running of hosting a home qualifying final, most likely against the same opponent.
The Crocs have won six straight as they continue their pursuit of back-to-back premierships, while Saints were the unfortunate team to have faced Cutters after their loss.
Both teams have had bouts of inaccuracy in front of the sticks, Cutters more so, meaning Saturday could come to the more clinical team inside 50.
Prediction: Crocs by 5
Cairns City Lions Host Manunda Hawks
AFTER losing a virtual ‘eight-pointer’ for third spot against Norths last week, Lions will be looking to get back into the winners’ circle in round 12. They are not in any urgent danger of dropping out of the top four, but will be looking to find some consistency in the next seven weeks.
Of immediate concern though will be their second half last week. They allowed Norths to kick seven goals to their one in a game they ultimately lost by 9 points.
The Hawks will be hoping to right some of the wrongs from their previous trip to ITEC group oval where they lost by 172 points.
Do not be surprised if the Hawks start off with a defensive mindset, especially in the back half, after Morris and Rainbird kicked 15 between them last time out.
Troy Barbero continues to be on dark horse Crathern Medal watch.
Prediction: Lions by 63
Cairns Saints Host Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs
AT this stage of the season, Saints will most likely be forward planning for 2025.
First on the agenda would be securing a scalp other than the winless Hawks.
Tied to that objective will be winning games that they are competitive in, rather than being ‘plucky/pesky underdogs’.
It is not the worst identity to build a team ethos upon, but only if they can work out how to get over the line. If they can though, they could well and truly be disruptive in the final weeks of the season.
For the Dogs, this game is simply must win if they have finals aspirations in 2024. They will have to claim a big scalp or two as well, including Lions in round 16, but all of that is irrelevant if they stumble against the Saints on Saturday. They won the previous fixture by 16 points and will be looking to repeat this week.
Prediction: Dogs by 16
