Port Douglas keen to capitalise on ‘dream run’ for the club
AFL CAIRNS | GRAND FINAL
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PORT Douglas captain Kye Chapple has declared star midfielder Brett McKeown a likely starter in the AFL Cairns grand final on Saturday.
McKeown has missed much of the back-half of the season with a shoulder injury but returned through the reserves in the qualifying final 12 days ago.
The Mossman-born McKeown was in career best form prior to his setback and is expected to have a major impact on the wide expanses of Cazalys Stadium against the Cairns Saints, according to his skipper.
“I think Brett is 100 per cent, he played a fortnight ago and got through, and he trained strongly last night and was taking on players,” Chapple told Newsport.
“He’s the type of player you want running around on Cazalys and he’s been unreal for us both on-and-off the field this year.
“He’s a young leader and a good young local boy who deserves to play.”
If McKeown completes Thursday night’s training session he will almost certainly get the nod from coach Brad Cooper, who rates the speedster highly.
Chapple said the build up to the decider had a ‘familiarity’ about it as his side shoots for a third-straight premiership.
Port will become the first team since their opponent to clinch a three-peat should they win on Saturday. The Saints achieved the feat in 2008-2010.
“Not many people even win one, so going for three in a row is definitely something to be proud of and something to be excited about,” Chapple said.
“We’re really keen for it, the week leading up to a grand final is why you play footy. The whole club is on a high, but we still have another game of footy to win.”
The reserves are also out to create some history of their own in Cairns.
The Andrew McLeod-coached team is chasing back-to-back flags after winning an epic double extra-time decider last year in unprecedented scenes at Cazalys Stadium.
A Gavin Jacks goal into the breeze tied the game at the end of regular time, forcing it into a battle of attrition and arguably the most pulsating finish to a grand final in the competition’s history.
One of the stars of that game, Oscar Dodge, will return for the Crocs on Saturday against Pyramid. He admits he’d prefer less drama this time around.
“Last year was a one-of-a-kind so hopefully we don’t see a repeat of that,” Dodge said.
“Having said that, it’s a grand final and anything can happen. But if things go to plan we’d like to be going into the last quarter a few goals up.”
Dodge, one of the most popular players at the club, said his teammates were determined to capitalise on their current dominance across both grades.
“It hasn’t always been a dream run for a lot of people at this footy club, and for some of the players that have come to the club,” he said.
“I had never played in a final until I came here and there are a lot of guys in the same boat.
“We’ve trained flat out all year to get to this position and it’s just a matter of doing it on that one day now.
“It’s a big day for the club with both teams playing off.”
AFL CAIRNS GRAND FINAL
Saturday 22 September
Cazalys Stadium, Cairns
SENIORS:
Port Douglas v Cairns Saints - 3PM
RESERVES:
Port Douglas v Pyramid - 12.30PM
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