Twenty years ago the cupboard was bare.
Now the Cairns Saints' clubhouse is so full of sliverware they are crying out for a full-scale renovation.
The success for the Griffiths Park based club is well documented and a source of frustration for their rivals.
That status is embraced by their founding fathers though, who pride themselves on creating a club that has built a network across the country.
"The first year about 30 came from Ballarat," Craig Hards says of their first crop.
"We almost won it that year, even though we were flogged in the preseason."
The following season Saints procured a miracle, overturning a six-goal deficit at the final break to win by less than one against Cairns City Cobras.
The beers flowed at the then-club bar Sportsworld, while the change rooms were underneath a nearby and occupied house. Since then they've won 12 flags; three times winning three in a row and trying for another three-peat this season.
Their clubhouse is adorned in red, black and white with flags literally covering every inch of the wall and ceiling.
"Yeah, that's where it sort of started. It was an amazing win, Hards said.
"There was a very big celebration; a few human bowling balls down the street and the trophy was taken by a rugby union team who took it to Port and they sent us photos of it with a ransom note all over town."
According to Peter Adams, the club was formed after two disgruntled camps "had a little discussion that festered and grew.'
Originally they were knows as the Westcourt Demons, playing as the Port Douglas reserves.
When they started winning, the club seperated and with a few add-ons from other clubs formed Cairns Saints.
Now their success has earned them a reputation down south as a go-to club in Cairns.
"We've had success because of a network; we could fill out a venue in Melbourne with Cairns Saints people," O'Halloran said.
"We're the benchmark and every club is trying to catch us, but you can't get complacent."
Recruiting a lot of teachers has allowed that tradition to continue, with current player-coach Nick Braybon and vice president/assistant coach Mark Kennedy carrying the flame this season, while their junior base is strong.
"If there's plenty of work in town you have a better league and with our connection to teachers in Ballarat (that's always been strong)," O'Halloran said. "For an old rooster to walk around the corner and see the juniors I had tears in my eyes."
The club will hold a premiership reunion on June
Last Modified on 06/11/2014 14:34