Fourteen goals to Saints' full-forward Matt Walsh has handed him his third-straight triple-figure season and the AFL Cairns Golden Boot award.
The clinical customer racked up his quota and then some against Centrals Trinity Bulldogs, the undermanned Doggies dealt a 29.21 (195) to 0.3 (3) lesson in their last game of the season.
It was a disappointing result considering the Dogs' early season aspirations of keeping a clean sheet at Crathern Park. Those dreams dissipated when Centrals lost several key players and suffered a series of heavy defeats within the first two months of the competition.
Walsh's century sets up a full forward shoot out with Paul Smith, the South Cairns goal hound notching his own century last Saturday.
Manunda coach Brad Sinclair hinted Saints' reliance on Walsh could prove their weak point during finals while he spoke on radio, but a 29.21 (195) to 0.3 (3) is proof their method continues to be effective.
At Port Douglas, North Cairns got a close-up look at how Port Douglas would fare against them in next week's semi-final, the Tigers mauled 27.16 (178) to 7.7 (49).
"I didn't want to lose by that much, but we've got a bit to come in; a bit of pace," Tigers coach Dave Arnfield said.
"I know we'll have to pick it up and I know both teams were resting players (for various reasons).
Saints' big win handed them a second-placed finish, while Port must settle for third.
North Cairns, who won the minor premiership last season, are guaranteed a finals spot but last Saturday's result doesn't provide anyone with confidence of them going further.
Manunda enjoyed an enterprising conclusion to a troubled season with a 14.16 (100) to 13.10 (88) win over Cairns City at Cazalys on Saturday night.
Last Modified on 21/01/2015 14:12