COACH Luke Parsons says his Cairns Saints are all about building a team and finding an even spread of contributors in their first season back in AFL Cairns Womens.
Saints broke through for their first victory in their return to the competition on Saturday afternoon as skipper Jacqueline Dupuy kicked them to victory over Centrals Trinity Beach in the second of the double-header at Buchan Street.
The newest club in the competition almost claimed their maiden win in Round 1 over South Cairns but after a few losses, Parsons believes the group is starting to build as a unit.
“It is a work in progress at the moment as we do not have many girls who have played a lot of games,” Parsons said.
“It is about learning as a group and it is great to be able to get a win this early in the season.
“We had an even contribution from the girls across the board and Jacqueline Dupuy was lucky enough to get on the end of a few goals.”
KICK AWAY: South Cairns’ Luizah Nomoa in the game against Manunda Hawks. Picture: STEWART McLEAN.
Dupuy was helped by three majors from Akayla Peterson in the 53-point win.
In the earlier game, Manunda scored a thrilling victory in the rematch from last season’s grand final.
South Cairns got the chocolates on grand final day 2017 but the Hawks gained some revenge with a three-point triumph as they held off a fast finishing Cutters side.
Rosalie Boden and Kareena White shared in five of the Hawks six goals.
The double-header was played to help start a conversation around standing up to family and domestic violence.
The day raised $200 for Ruth’s Women’s Shelter Cairns.
AFL Cairns Womens 2018
Round 5
Cairns Saints 9.8-62
Centrals Trinity Beach Womens AFC 1.3-9
CAIRNS SAINTS
Goal Kickers: J. Dupuy 5, A. Peterson 3, J. Orszaczki
Best Players: J. Dupuy, G. Garner, A. Peterson, T. Smith, M. Sidhu, R. Leete
CENTRALS TRINITY BEACH WOMENS AFC
Goal Kickers: R. Nandy
Best Players: K. Robinson, G. Perry, J. Rowlands, C. Oxlade, M. Smith, E. Grahame
South Cairns 6.5-41
Manunda Hawks 6.8-44
MANUNDA HAWKS
Goal Kickers: R. Boden 3, K. White 2, J. Clift
Best Players: A. Grixti, M. Boaden, T. Buckley, C. Pike, R. Jorquera, J. Sailor
JORDAN GERRANS, jordan.gerrans@news.com.au, The Cairns Post
