CAIRNS POST – MURRAY WENZEL – 02 JUNE 2014

Five straight goals in the final quarter helped the Manunda Hawks to their first win of the season at Cazalys, but it was their improved composure and patience through-out the game that proved the decisive factor.

The Hawks have battled with a young squad, new coach and many of their former players at rival AFL Cairns clubs since losing the grand final to Saints in 2012.

But they gave their supportes something to savour by chasing down third-placed Port Douglas for Brad Sinclair’s first win in Cairns on Saturday afternoon.

“To get up and win gives them enormous belief,” the former Saint Kilda development coach said. “When we took the lead it felt a lot like a regional game down south; the crowd really came to life.”

Starting the final stanza 22 points adrift, Aidan Depetro kicked two majors before Matthew Smart added one more and then a double to Mark Hibbins within one minute gave them the lead for the first since early in the second quarter. Port had kicked two quick goals to end the final term and the first in the final quarter to establish the margin, but Sinclair credited his side’s ability to stem the flow.

“We had been working all week on playing with composure and control, because they have the ability,” he said.

“So when they had the running, it was great to see us chip it around, slow it down and frustrate them.

“All 22 were exceptional, especially the backline, and great leadership from Boe Halter, with Fred Pittorino and Gausa Arnold both out injured.”

Sinclair still rates Port Douglas as good as frontrunners Souths and Saints, saying he felt there was no clear standout among them.

And he has put his mark of the year vote behind athletic Croc Tom Clough, who continued Cameron Duffy’s run of bad luck by taking a huge mark on his shoulders. Not miffed by the mid-season switch to Souths by recruit Steve Doran, who played for the Cutters on Saturday, Sinclair said the door was open both ways.

“We want players who are committed to the club here, because in the next three or four years there is something special in store for the Hawks,” the coach said.