http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/local-sport/north-cairns-tigers-beat-manunda-in-afl-cairns-good-friday-clash-but-search-for-new-coach-after-oriley-walkout/story-fnjpuwsz-1226889390560
A WIN yesterday was the tonic the Tigers needed after a turbulent few days forced them into a quick search for a new coach.
North Cairns mentor Rod O’Riley quit his post suddenly on Thursday, leaving assistant coach and captain Kane Richter to lead the team against Manunda yesterday.
Work commitments mean Richter won’t be able to coach like he did last season, the club left to find a replacement next week.
Richter said O’Riley’s exit, which came after several run-ins with club officials about his player management system, was an undesirable one.
But he stressed it would not put the Tigers into a spiral.
CONTEST: Tigers Rhys Bridge and Josh Coombes compete a mark with Hawks Ryan Flint.
“At the end of the day, a lot of people at the footy club have put time and effort in to make it what it is,” Richter said.
“Obviously we didn’t want him to pull the pin, but it’s only one person.”
“We haven’t worked out what we are going to do, because since (O’Riley’s resignation) it was purely about getting through this game and getting it done.”
The lead-by-example skipper said it was up to the playing group to remain united, something they did well in yesterday’s 19.11(125) to 10.9(69) defeat of the spirited Hawks.
PIN-POINT: Tiger Kyle Dekanich kicks ahead.
Richter, Adam Mueller (six goals), recruit Scott Rowe and the returning Brendan Tennick all showed their class to set the tone in the first quarter against a young Manunda line-up.
Mitchell Koch kicked three while roving and Tyler Gorogo was also effective around the packs.
They led 65-20 at half time before the Hawks rallied behind Willie Aisi, Gavin Miller and Cameron Duffy to go with last year’s minor premiers for most of the second half.
“They were good, didn’t give up and were wanting the ball more than us at the back end of the third there,” Richter said.
A big crowd showed up to support the Tigers on Good Friday, with an appreciated Willie Alick doing a backflip in front of them as the side was cheered off.
“It was really positive today after everything that happened. I’ll be reminding the guys of why they are here next week, and that’s to play footy and help out around the club and take it forward,” Richter said.
“That’s the bigger picture here.”
The Hawks were brave again, but their performance was soured by a bad leg injury to gutsy midfielder Harry Hutchison.
Photo and story provided by The Cairns Post.
Last Modified on 06/11/2014 15:05