Sport
12 April, 2024
Teams ready for the bounce
‘FOOTY in paradise’ has kicked off with more than 100 coaches, players and supporters gathering at Ellis Beach on Monday to celebrate the launch of the 2024 AFL Cairns season tomorrow.
Representatives, coaches and players of Cairns’ seven football clubs celebrated the long-awaited return of the footy season at Ellis Beach Bar and Grill to celebrate the 2023 premiership winners, listen to the team captains’ aspirations for the season and celebrate another year of successful local football.
The season is set to start tomorrow at Crathern Park from 12.30pm with an interesting match between the Central Trinity Beach Bulldogs and the Manunda Hawks.
“Footy in paradise is how we market our competition so to have all the coaches and players standing on the beach for our season launch photoshoot was a moment to remember,” said AFL Cairns general manager Craig Lees..
“There was a lot of love in the room for all clubs and the good thing about our teams is that they may compete for a couple of hours but collectively we’re a group of leaders and football clubs that work together for the best interest of our community.
“Coaches and players are excited about the season, a lot of recruiting has gone into the off-season, there’s a lot of talent in both men’s and women’s competition, so it’s a very exciting time.”
Mr Lees said April would make for an action-filled month for footy.
“The Centrals Bulldogs v Manunda Hawks is going to be an interesting game because Manunda Hawks have recruited quite well in the off-season and added depth to their list, but they didn’t win a game last year,” he said.
“There’s a bit of a change at Centrals, last year they had six former AFL players playing for their club and this year they don’t have any, so it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.
“This is a very exciting month for the competition, in a couple of weeks we have our Legacy Round on ANZAC Day so to be able to support FNQ Legacy and have a double header with our Cairns Saints and Manunda Hawks playing under twilight conditions and our 50th year of the North Cairns and South Cairns clash it’s great.
“I encourage the community to attach to a local club and join in with the juniors or the women’s program or even senior footy. There’s all forms of footy to the community so get engaged.”
