Cobden footballers celebrate after winning flags in AFL Cairns

Josh Hickey, Sam Giblett and Christian Koroneos had no plans to go to Queensland this year until the Hampden league senior season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic in early June.

Weeks later they were on a flight to the sunshine state to play in AFL Cairns.

Now four months down the track they are Port Douglas premiership players.

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As Giblett said "it's been a really good experience and I'm really happy I chose to come up".

Giblett and Koroneos played in the Crocs' 15.12 (102) to 11.6 (72) senior premiership win against Cairns Saints on Saturday night.

Hickey was part of the reserves' 22.11 (143) to 2.4 (16) triumph over South Cairns.

Giblett, who played forward, kicked two goals in seniors while Hickey snagged a goal and was in the reserves' best.

Giblett explained the match was a twilight fixture but it was still a toasty 28 degrees.

He said the experience up north had been much like a working holiday for him.

The south-west dairy farmer quickly found a job at Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course.

He was maintaining the greens and finished up on Friday.

Otherwise he would catch up with teammates to pass time throughout the weeks.

The youngster said he was returning home on Saturday and looking forward to seeing friends and family again.

He said he would play for Cobden in 2021.

As for the standard of footy, Giblett believes the Hampden league offers a higher level.

He noted the HFNL was also a much more even competition with less difference between the top and bottom teams on the ladder.

The Bomber gained experience in a different position this season.

He usually plays on a wing for Cobden but ended up playing forward every game for the Crocs.

South Cairns, Cairns Saints, Cairns City Lions, Centrals Trinity Beach, Manunda Hawks and North Cairns were the other teams in the senior competition this season.

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