Defending premiers start well

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

THERE were 24 players who would have had an especially fulfilling night's sleep after the opening clash of this season's AFL Cairns Women's League at Watsons Oval on Saturday.

With five-time defending premiers Norths struggling for numbers before their first-round match against Souths, both clubs took the unusual step of agreeing to field sides with 12 players.

"It was a bit strange," Norths player coach Jo Butland said. "You need a minimum of 12 to play so the decision was made for both teams to run on 12
to keep it fair.

"It created plenty of space as you
would imagine and made for some pretty free-flowing football."

Norths seemed to enjoy the extra space a little bit more than their opponents, going on to beat Souths 2.4 (16) to 2.1 (13).

In the second match on Saturday, Centrals Trinity Beach were too good for the Manunda Hawks.

After starting the encounter strongly, Centrals rarely looked like relinquishing the advantage on their way to a 3.11 (29) to 1.0 (6) victory.

Results: North Cairns 2.4 (16) d South Cairns 2.1 (13). Goal kickers: (Norths) Alisha Creed, Jo Butland; (Souths) Asta Naden, Ellie Martin.

Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs Babes 3.11 (29) d Manunda Hawks 1.0 (6). Goal kickers: (Centrals) Katie Hunt, Ret Dowling, Lauren James; (Hawks) Jackie Newton.

Possession counts: Souths player Mary David grabs hold off a pass in the match against North Cairns on Saturday.

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<strong>Shane Watson (left) and Ricky Ponting.

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<strong> Facing up; </strong> Innisfail batsman Nick Souvlis in action against Norths on Saturday.

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