It was wet, wild, ugly and just the way Stuart Dew liked it as the Gold Coast Suns notched a 16-point win in his first game in charge.
The rookie AFL coach watched as his men out-enthused North Melbourne with the game on the line in the final quarter, the Suns prevailing 7.13 (55) to 5.9 (39) on Saturday night.
All 12 goals came at the same end of the ground, with final-quarter majors to Jack Bowes and Jarryd Lyons proving the difference.
A wet week in Cairns got a whole lot wetter about 45 minutes before the first bounce, with torrential rain sweeping across the region and flooding Cazalys Stadium.
North Melbourne coped best in the puddles early, winning more contested ball and notching the first quarter’s only goal through Shaun Higgins.
The Kangaroos missed two sets shots and had a masterful Higgins’ solo effort along the boundary line ruled to have glanced the post as they looked to establish control of the contest in the second term.
But they were left to rue those missed opportunities as the rain eased, the ground drained and the Suns kicked five straight to finish the half leading by 24 points.
Darcy McPherson scored the Suns’ first before Ben Ainsworth snapped a second and followed it up with another.
Alex Sexton and club debutant Aaron Young also got on the board as the Suns – led by Cairns local and second-year midfielder Bowes (21 disposals) – camped in North Melbourne’s forward 50m and reaped rewards.
North Melbourne responded by pushing Jack Ziebell forward and kicking all four goals in the third term, the skipper notching two of his own and setting up another to reduce the margin to one at the final break.
The rain returned in the final term, leaving teams with no choice but to hack it forward.
The ball rarely left the Suns’ forward half though, with David Swallow (game-high 30 touches) taking over to snap a run of five straight losses in Cairns.
Kangaroos tall Ben Brown was unable to make an impact, restricted to just four touches in the wet.
The Suns, under Dew’s high pressure, full-team defensive approach, won the tackle count 94-84 and contested possessions 208-189.
Seventeener
Guest
The Suns have 3 Cairns raised players on their list, with 2 of them among the best on ground = Harbrow and Bowes. That kind of return from 8 seasons would be very pleasing for Gillon McLachlan, with plenty more young Academy prospects being drafted into the NEAFL ahead of the TAC Cup and Draft.
Cat
Roar Guru
Considering the weather I’d give big props to those 3500 brave souls who showed up.
On the Ball
Guest
With a crowd of 3500 and Foxfooty TV ratings of 74k the Suns can only go up from here. #TVratings Saturday #AFL #FoxFooty #AFLSunsNorth 74k
Pelican
Guest
Well done Suns. I have always been a Stewart Dew fan. Tough player and smart. Should have a great coaching career he has learnt from Choco, Clarko and Horse. Also good to see Aaron Young have a good game, he was good for Port but will get more opportunites at the Suns. I have a good feeling about the Suns now, Stewart Dew will be one of the boys and be able to get in there heads and create a club culture.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Ah Swannies a wet track expert and as well as a flat track bully. I see you have got a new best friend.
Cat
Roar Guru
Impressive self validation - not
Swannys
Guest
Yeah your right swannies .
Swannies
Guest
North have been impressive tonight in staking their claim for the wooden spoon. All part of Scott's bold plan to access first draft pick for 2019.