Sport
6 September, 2024
Cutters to beat Hawks
A REMATCH of the 2013 decider and the men’s major final kicks off this weekend’s finals festival at Cazalys.
Cairns finals week one men’s preview
Qualifying final South Cairns Cutters play North Cairns Tigers
North Cairns have not won a legitimate premiership since 1988, while that victory in 2013 was the last time the Cutters saluted.
The Cutters have been the best team all year, experiencing a solitary defeat and have shown time and time again that they can win from any position and situation while being premiership favourites since round 3.
However, that one defeat did come at the hands of the Tigers in round 10 and a last quarter fadeout prevented the Tigers winning on ANZAC Day also, so the Tigers know their best is good enough.
With both teams surely supremely confident, it bodes for a bruising encounter in the middle and with goals coming from everywhere on the park for both teams, the back six holds the key for each of the teams.
Prediction: Cutters by 15
Elimination final
Port Douglas Crocs play Cairns City Lions
IT is win or go home for this rematch of the 2022 decider.
Reigning premiers Port go in as deserved favourites and will be a nightmare to face next week for either Cutters or Norths, but have struggled for the same consistency that made them irrepressible premiers 12 months ago.
The Lions will be looking to prey on that as they make their finals return after a 12-month hiatus and will be hellbent on proving they are back where they belong, rather than just making up the numbers in fourth.
The key match-up looks to be Rainbird vs Chapple, the leading two goalkickers in season 2024.
The neutral venue adds another layer of intrigue for this fixture. Port won both games away, while the Lions won their sole trip to Port. To highlight the dominance of these two teams, they have won the nine of the last ten men’s A grade premierships.
Prediction: Draw – Port advances
