A first-half deadlock was not enough for Manunda Hawks to mount an unlikely win against Cairns Saints, fading away badly in the second half to suffer a 148-47 drubbing on Saturday.

The young Hawks made a promising start at Cazalys Stadium, closing out the first quarter 32-21, before Saints won the arm-wrestle in the second to go ahead 50-44.

From there, the floodgates opened, Manunda unable to stop a rampant Saints attack led by Matt Walsh (eight goals) and half-forward Brett Niewand (four goals).

“Hawks played really well. They’re a young side, they were physical and were right in the contest at half-time,” Saints player-coach Nick Braybon said.

“In the second-half we re-grouped and came out with a better attitude, and that showed with how we controlled the game.”

Despite sitting on equal points with South Cairns , both on 54, Braybon said his men were yet to hit their straps.

“I think we’re ready for finals but we’ve got a lot of work to do to make sure we’re peaking at the right time,” he said. “The boys definitely believe that we’ve got better footy ahead of us.” Braybon said his side needed to play all full four quarters of footy if they were to be any chance of getting the gong. “You can’t be turning up to finals and play half a game and expect to progress,” he said. “I think all teams are looking for that consistent four-qaurter effort.”