SOUTHS player-coach Daniel Lock concedes his side was given a lesson in finals footy by Saints at Cazalys on Saturday and has urged his minor premiers to respond in a do-or-die preliminary final against Port Douglas this weekend.
The Cutters were blown away in the first quarter and never mounted a serious challenge as Saints finished 18.6 (114) to 11.6 (72) winners to qualify for another AFL Cairns grand final.
Tim Lamprill was the game breaker, booting six goals at important junctures in the game to maintain control for Saints.
With golden boot winner Matthew Walsh (two goals) well held by Jermaine Wardle, it was important someone else stood up and Lamprill’s injection forward proved crucial.
“That’s the sign of a good team, they always have someone step up,” Lock said.
“But to be honest, I didn’t see it coming. I don’t think we are a seven-goal worse side than them.”
He said their finals inexperience showed against the perennial contenders and hopes to see improvement on Saturday afternoon.
“I don’t think some of the guys realised the intensity that was required,” he said. “A fair few boys will know where they are at – they smashed us in every department.”
Saints player-coach Nick Braybon, who is gunning for three premierships in three seasons at Saints before departing next season, credited his team’s hardness and composure.
“We controlled the ball rather than just attack and attack,” he said. “With the breeze we knew if we wasted the ball it was going to cost us.”
And they rarely faltered in that quest, kicking beautifully in front of goal and rarely coughing up soft possessions.
Peter Jarvie was effective in stifling Souths’ 100-goal hero Paul Smith, limiting him to two goals.
“Jarvs was great on him but the midfield, the back six, were very good in shutting it down as well,” Braybon said.
Alex Macqueen scored the first for Saints as they started with purpose and kicked seven straight in the first term.
Souths, through Zac Ewer, Lock and Smith hung around, but it was Lamprill’s trio of majors – his last on the horn – against the wind in the second term that created a 27-point buffer.
Reserve Grade: Port Douglas 11.9 (75) d Cairns Saints 9.13 (67); South Cairns 11.14 (80) d Cairns City Lions 4.6 (30)
Last Modified on 17/09/2014 20:37