With City Lions coming into the competition in 2019, the annual round of football aimed at starting conversations on standing up to family and domestic violence has expanded to a triple-header.

AFL Cape York Eagles junior football will lend a hand, bringing together the best female footballers in the Far North and a host of talented juniors.

Manunda Hawks premiership player Mel Kelly believes the annual round is an important one.

“It is great to be able to give back to the community in some way,” Kelly said.

“Hopefully we can bring awareness to situations and things to look out for.

“Not everyone is affected but if you can say ‘how are you going?’ to one of your friends, it could go a long way.”

The brown and gold were overrun in the last term last Saturday and Kelly is hopeful her Hawks will learn from that against Centrals Trinity Bulldogs in the last game of the triple-header.

 UNITED WE STAND: The AFL Cairns women’s competition has designated this weekend’s round to raising awareness of domestic violence, with all three games being played at AFL Cape York House for boys at Portsmith. Sodyla Kris, Mel Kelly, Akayla Peterson, Lilyn Deeral, Solomon Woosup, Staci Trindle-Price, Chelsea Oxlade and Sezen Oraloglu have all thrown their support behind the round. Picture: BRENDAN RADKE.

“It was a disappointing finish because we brought it for the first three quarters but it just got away from us,” Kelly said.

“That is what happens sometimes.

“We have quite a few new girls in our team and a lack of experience was one of the factors.

“This week at training, we touched on the basics.”

Luana Healey, who has crossed from North Cairns to City Lions, is hopeful of playing this Saturday after missing the first few weeks of the season with a concussion.

AFL Cairns has branded this weekend’s entire round of games “Stand Up Against Domestic Violence Round”.

Last year, the round raised money for Ruth’s Women’s Shelter and it will do the same this weekend.

In between the second and third game, all teams, as well as any supporters at the venue, will come together and be a part of the Stand Up Against DV community photo on the playing arena, with the photo symbolising the unity in making a stand against domestic and family violence.