MURRAY WENZEL – THE CAIRNS POST – MARCH 27, 2014 1:08PM – Source: News Limited

THE AFL Cairns season was officially launched last night for the first time in its history, administrators spruiking a new motto and imagery to consolidate how far the league has come since it began in 1956.

It is the first time an AFL Cairns season launch has been held, but president Gary Young said it was timely given their attempt to “create a presence out there”.

Their “AFL Cairns, Great Game” motto is a Far North-specific promotion which will be distributed on bumper stickers, game-day signage and in the media as team and competition representatives met at Cazalys last night to officially launch the campaign and the season.

Young hopes the marketing push will attract bigger crowds, continued increases in junior participation and greater interest in the local competition.

“We want to get ourselves out there, create a presence out there and position ourselves as quite a matured league in Cairns,” Young said.

“Because it is a great game, with great marks and great goals and now the premiership game every season (this season between Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast Suns on July 12) is putting us on the map.”

Testament to that is the influx of players from interstate to play this season, including a number from Tasmania spread across several clubs.

Rural Victoria has always been a strong recruitment zone for the league, while West Australian and Northern Territory talent has filtered across in recent seasons.

Most coaches have predicted a stronger competition this season, and with a more spectator-friendly schedule, it should encourage bigger crowds at games.

Round one begins tomorrow night with a grand final replay between Cairns Saints and North Cairns Tigers at Cazalys, followed by Manunda Hawks v Centrals Trinity at the same venue on Saturday afternoon and finally Cairns City Lions v South Cairns Cutters at Holloways Beach on Sunday afternoon.

Port Douglas have the bye.

Read The Cairns Post tomorrow for team selections and news plus a full list of each club’s ins and outs.