Sport
16 September, 2022
Clash of the titans
THE season’s final day is this weekend, with the 2022 Cairns Colonial Club and Resort Grand Finals taking place at Endeavour Park.
Once again, Edge Hill Tigers and Leichhardt Lions face each other in the finals. Although these rivals are no strangers to each other, they know each other on the field, and their desire to win will make for an exciting match.
Leichhardt Lions captain Joshua Wilson said the team spirits were high after winning last weekend, and they are ready for a rematch after last year’s finals, where Edge Hill won the championship.
“Last year still lives in our minds,” Wilson said.
“Especially when it’s the same two teams back at it again, but we’re looking forward to it, and we’re ready for it.
“We have to stick to our game plan; everyone’s got to be 100 per cent up for it and not make silly little mistakes as we have.”
Edge Hill Tigers captain Kevin Ward said the team is armed and ready for the finals.
“Things are looking good; we’re looking forward to it,” Ward said.
“We don’t take for granted being a part of the finals each year.
“For us it’s about doing the basics; we don’t worry too much about the opposition; we just make sure we do the right things, prepare well and turn up on Saturday and do what we’ve been doing in training.”
The women’s division is also getting its head into the game as they prepare to meet their forever rivals on the field this Saturday.
Leichhardt Lions captain Monique Ward said the team is focused and prepared for the finals.
“This will be the second time all season that we’ve had the full bench,” Ward said.
“The girls are in pretty good shape, we’ve had excellent training, and we had a really good win last Saturday, which I think boosted our confidence even more.
“Edge Hill’s the team to beat, and they’re the benchmark, but we’re keen to give them a run for their money and stir the pot a little bit.”
Edge Hill Tigers captain Siobhan Macken said the team’s history would make for very exciting finals, and they hope to take the championship again.
“We’ve gotten to know each other very well,” Macken said.
“We know all their players, their strengths, their weaknesses, and the same goes for them, which can make for a very exciting game.
“Mentality is a big factor for us; it’s hard not to fall into that comfortable trap where we think – if everything goes normal, we should be alright; the girls need to be prepared as if we don’t know what this team has put on the line.”
This promises to be a cracking weekend of football across 12 huge divisions, from U13 to QPL Men’s and Women’s, across three fields and two days - Who will be crowned champions of 2022?
2022 Cairns Colonial Club and Resort Grand Finals
FRIDAY, September 16
• Field 1 6pm: Women’s 23’s: Edge Hill Tigers V Redlynch Strikers
• Field 2 6pm: U16 Div. 1: Saints FC V Stratford Dolphins
• Field 3 7pm: U13 Div. 2: Kuranda Rangers V Edge Hill Tigers
• Field 2 8pm: Div. 2 Men’s: Southside Comets V Innisfail Cutters
• Field 1 8.30pm: Div. 1 Men’s: Atherton Eagles V Mareeba Bulls
SATURDAY, September 17
• Field 2 11.30am: U14 Div 1: Saints FC V Stratford Dolphins
• Field 1 12noon: FQPL 18’s: Edge Hill Tigers V Stratford Douglas
• Field 2 1.30pm: FQPL 14’s: Southside Comets V Edge Hill Tigers
• Field 2 2.30pm: FQPL U23’s Men’s: Innisfail Cutters V Edge Hill Tigers
• Field 2 3.30pm: FQPL 16’s: Edge Hill Tigers V Redlynch Strikers
• Field 1 5pm: FQPL Women’s: Edge Hill Tigers V Leichhardt Lions
• Field 1 7.30pm: FQPL Men’s: Edge Hill Tigers V Leichhardt Lions
