IF Manunda wins its third AFL Cairns premiership in a row this season, the team might look back on Saturday's round-16 victory against the Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs at Crathern Park as the catalyst.

With both teams wagering a top-four spot on the result, the Hawks kicked three goals in the final two minutes to break the hearts of Bulldogs fans and triumph 19.18 (132) to 18.19 (127).

In a game that produced desperate rather than dashing football, will-o’-the-wisp Hawks youngster Miles Kerindun stood out as a surgeon on a field full of butchers.

Kerindun’s finesse in a physical contest suited to bigger bodies was a constant for the Hawks who came from two goals down at halftime. Also starring for the visitors was the ever-reliable Fred Pittorino (six goals) while Heath Barnett finished the match with five majors for the home side.

Hawks coach Michael Purcell said Saturday’s win was the result of his players’ improved self belief.

"I was thinking about it the other night and we’ve won five of our last six," he said. "Our only loss was against the Saints last week and there aren’t too many sides getting near them at the moment.

"We’re building momentum but we have to keep winning because there’s still five weeks to go before finals."

The fourth-placed Hawks now sit two wins clear of the Bulldogs who have the bye this week. After the break, the Bulldogs start their run home with an encounter against North Cairns, to be followed by games against Port Douglas, Cairns Saints and the Cairns City Cobras.

As well as relying on the Hawks slipping up, the Bulldogs have to win close to all their remaining matches to have any hope of cracking the top four.

Two sides assured of their spot in the finals series, South Cairns and Saints, squared-off at Fretwell Park on Saturday. Normally considered the marquee clash of the league, injury and representative duty robbed both Souths and Saints of their top-line players.

The ladder-leading Saints, however, proved they have the deepest list in the competition by romping to a 21.19 (145) to 8.11 (59) victory.

Saints forward Jason Eagle had another big day in front of the sticks, finishing the match with eight goals.

Meanwhile, third-placed Port Douglas survived a late surge from the Cobras to win 11.7 (73) to 7.11 (53) at Holloways Beach.

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