Cairns City Lions coach Marc Harbrow says his squad is hungry to win the AFL Cairns showcase 'Dreamtime by the Sea' match for the first time in front of a home crowd this weekend at Holloways Beach.

Now in its third year, the game is far north Queensland's annual celebration of Indigenous Australians and their contribution to Australian Rules football, featuring traditional food, dancers, musicians and a Welcome To Country performed in the once lost Irukandji language of Yirrgay by Gavin Singleton. 

Harbrow said this weekend's match against North Cairns Tigers presented the best opportunity for the club to etch its name onto the Dreamtime Shield in the event's short history.

"For this particular year, we have a real chance of winning. Tigers have been very strong over the past two to three years and built very quickly," he said.  

"This year ... all we want to do is play four quarters of footy strongly and get a win for the supporters out at Holloways Beach." 

Both teams have a strong history of producing outstanding Indigenous players Harbrow said with some families boasting three generations of footballers to have donned Lions' and formerly Cobras colours for the club.  

"Cairns City Lions have always had a high percentage of Indigenous players so it makes sense for this club to acknowledge Indigenous players and their families and the qualities they bring on-and-off the field to the game," he said. 

"It resembles what this club is about. So many of the Indigenous players have played right through from their junior days so the love for the club is there. 

"It's a fairly big initiative and it's something everyone at the club is passionate about." 

Best on ground in the senior match will receive the Cockatoo medal which acknowledges the enduring commitment of the Cockatoo family to the Lions.

This year the Lions' Indigenous-themed jumpers have been designed by Harbrow, who incorporated both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait flags into the jersey.

The jumpers will be auctioned off at a later date.  

The event will also feature Indigenous band Home Grown and contemporary Indigenous dancers, Biddigal. Traditional Indigenous meals will be served after the match with funds raised going towards Relay for Life. 

The match between the Lions and Tigers is a precursor to the AFL's Indigenous Round which features the 'Dreamtime at the 'G' match between traditional rivals, Richmond and Essendon on Saturday May 31, 2014.