World Footy News

Now that the 2013 season has ended for most Australian competitions, the avid fan will turn their attention to ongoing leagues such as the AFLNT, AFL Middle East or the CNFA in France to get through to next season as they play through the Australian summer months.

But this is the perfect time for a collection of updates from northern Australian leagues whose seasons have recently finished.

 

 Cairns:

The all-conquering Cairns Saints were chasing their 12th premiership in 20 years. North Cairns Tigers were hoping to break a premiership drought which dates back to 1988. Going into this year’s Grand Final, the teams had two wins each against each other for the year. On the big day, however, it was the Saint’s juggernaut which kept on rolling with a 17 7 109 to 11 19 85 victory over the Tigers. This premiership victory must surely place Cairns Saints among the most successful Australian clubs over the past 20 years. For North Cairns the off-season will be aimed at eradicating demons and breaking the drought in 2014.

 

Townsville:

After losing their first two matches of the year, the Thuringowa Bulldogs were already behind the eight-ball in their premiership quest. Their arch rival, Hermit Park Tigers were hoping to go back to back after taking the 2012 flag. After the Tigers won their first encounter, and the second was a draw, the Bulldogs then asserted themselves in subsequent clashes between the two. This culminated in a come from behind premiership for the Thuringowa Bulldogs to make it two of the past three flags. Final scores saw the Dogs come from 18 points down at ¾ time to put on a withering 7 goals to 2 final quarter and premiership glory 13 14 92 to 12 5 77.

 

Mackay:

The Mackay City Hawks were after their 8th premiership, and hoping to complete their own three-peat after wins in 2011/2012. The eastern Swans were after their 7th flag (having won 3 as the Eastern Swans and 3 as their predecessor, East Mackay). The Hawks lost their first encounter with the Swans early this year, but dominated in all subsequent clashes, going on to win the Grand Final handsomely by 77 points. Final score saw Mackay City Hawks 19 14 128 defeat Eastern Swans 7 9 51. In an extraordinary aside to this, Hawks season saw two scores in excess of 40 goals and three wins of staggering proportions of 274 points, 248 points and 246 points, making this season something to remember for Hawks fans.

Mt Isa:

This year saw the clash of the Mt Isa Rovers and the Mt Isa Buffaloes in the Grand Final. After victories, most recently in 2009, 2010 and 2012, the Rovers were out to continue that domination. With first the Alpurruurulam Young Guns, then the Mt Isa Tigers dropping out of the premiership race it was the Rovers who reigned supreme with a 63 to 53 victory over the Buffaloes in a grand come from behind effort.

 

 

Capricornia:

After a season which saw Yeppoon and BITS (Boyne Island/Tannum Sands) go neck and neck all throughout the home and away rounds, it was expected the two would fight out the premiership honours. So it was something of a surprise that Glenmore defeated Yeppoon in the preliminary final to advance and meet BITS in the big one. The Glenmore Bulls had gone down comprehensively to the BITS Saints throughout the year and this extended into the Grand Final with the Saints running out 42 point winner on the back of 11 goals to 1 by three quarter time. Final scores saw BITS Saints 12 7 79 defeat Glenmore Bulls 5 7 37.

Coming soon is a wrap of the Northern Territory league seasons in 2013.