DEPARTING South Cairns ­Cutters mentor Steve Daniel will coach Queensland for a second time at next year's Australian Country Football Carnival despite returning to ­Victoria in 2010.

Daniel and his Queensland team, featuring a heavy contingent of AFL Cairns players, won division two at the 2008 championships, earning elevation into the top grade for next year’s tournament.

Considering he is signed to coach Murray Football League side Congupna next season, Daniel was surprised to be offered the Queensland job again.

"Going back to Victoria to coach, I thought you would have to be in Queensland to coach the Queensland side but I was very flattered when I was asked if I was still interested," Daniel said. "I rang the new president at Congupna, Deb (McColl), and she was rapt and had no problem with it.

"It’s very exciting to be going back. We made history last year in 2008 to win the carnival and get into first division.

"It will be a challenge coming up against the so-called big boys. Now that we’re one of the big boys, it certainly adds some excitement."

Daniel coached the Cutters for three years in the AFL Cairns, guiding the club to consecutive grand finals, which were both lost to Cairns Saints.

While the Saints’ defeats hurt, Daniel has no regrets about his time in the Far North.

"I would have liked to have got that flag but I’ve been fortunate to win premierships in other places," he said. "Not to win the grand final is disappointing but that’s footy and you’ve got to move on."

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