MEGA PREVIEW: AFL Cairns Grand Final, Port Douglas v Manunda
AFL CAIRNS | GRAND FINAL
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THE SITUATION:
Port Douglas has crushed all before them in 2017 and cruised into the big one with a dominant semi-final win over Centrals Trinity Beach. They’re ruthless, rested and ready with virtually a full list to choose from ahead of Saturday.
Manunda had an upset preliminary final win over Centrals Trinity Beach last week to book its first grand final since 2012. The young Hawks ran the Bulldogs off their feet but they’ll need to produce something extraordinary to trouble the Crocs.
WHERE AND WHEN:
Cazaly’s Stadium, Saturday 16 September, 3pm
THE STORY THIS YEAR:
Round 3: Manunda Hawks 9.8 (62) lost to Port Douglas 14.10 (94) at Cazalys Stadium
The Hawks pushed the Crocs all the way and had their chances to win the match but were ultimately overrun in the final term. Pete Bury was a star for the Crocs, while gun youngster Ezekiel Frank booted five goals for the Hawks.
Round 10: Port Douglas 20.18 (138) defeated Manunda Hawks 8.9 (57)
The Crocs picked apart the fourth placed Hawks with a typically brutal performance in a thumping 85-point win. Wes Glass and Pete Bury dominated, while Kye Chapple celebrated Indigenous Round with seven goals.
Round 15: Port Douglas 28.18 (186) defeated Manunda Hawks 8.6 (54)
Port Douglas forwards Kye Chapple (11 goals), Lee Staple (five) and Kurt Bradshaw (five) dominated the Manunda defenders while Jonathan Hobbs, Brett McKeown and Pete Bury ran amok in a 132-point mauling of the Hawks.
THE KEY POINTS:
1. History awaits
Port Douglas has never won back-to-back premierships. If they can get it done on Saturday, it will be just reward for a club that boasts some of the hardest working football volunteers in the country.
2. The perfect season…
The players and coaching staff don’t want to hear about it, but the Crocs are on the brink of completing an unblemished 20-0 season.
3. Mathew Medcraft returns
The Sunbury recruit has enjoyed a standout season and finished third in the Crathern Medal on Monday night, but missed the semi-final due to family reasons. The midfielder has been recalled and will help counter Manunda’s speed.
4. Ezekial Frank
The young forward will need to produce the game of his life for Manunda to cause an upset. He’s kicked 71 goals and been a jet this season.
5. Port’s power forwards
The Hawks will be stretched to cover the multi-pronged forward set-up of Port Douglas. If key talls Kye Chapple (121 goals), Kurt Bradshaw (38) and Lee Staple (29) don’t get them, then Adam Gross (42), Jesse Mawson (41) and Mitch Bohm (20) probably will.
6. Do you believe in miracles?
Because that’s what it’ll be if the Hawks shock the Far North footy world on Saturday. They were pummeled by 132 points the last time the two sides met, and you can mount an argument the Crocs have improved since then.
THE X FACTOR:
Jesse Mawson – The silky half-forward could get off the chain if given the opportunity tomorrow. He's kicked 41 goals this season and is just one of many attacking threats for Port Douglas.
FROM THE COACHES:
Brad Cooper- Port Douglas: “We couldn’t prepare any better than we have, so absolutely no excuses. We geared up for every possible scenario in the first week of the finals and we got what we wished and that was two wins (seniors and reserves). We’ve prepared well.”
Marc Harbrow – Manunda: “It’s a game of footy. In grand finals, you’ve got to turn up to play. There is no use talking about game plans this time of year. You should already be fit; you should know your game plan. It’s more about mentally turning up ready to play.”
SELECTED TEAMS:
THE LAST WORD:
There is no available evidence to suggest the Port Douglas juggernaut won’t roll on and complete a dream season for coach Brad Cooper and his players. Stranger things have happened, but tomorrow won’t be one of those grand finals.
PREDICTION:
Port Douglas by 48 points
HOWARD KENNEDY MEDALLIST:
Pete Bury - Port Douglas
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