North Cairns Tigers’ new coach Danny Ades is leaning on his Mornington Peninsula connections as he builds his list for the 2027 season, with two Frankston YCW players already locked in and more interest flowing from the south.

Jimmy Cahill and Harry Lloyd have both signed with the Tigers, joining a recruiting haul that already includes six Victorians and several Top End talents chasing a lifestyle change and 12 months of football in the sun.

“Recruiting is recruiting — it doesn’t change a whole lot,’’ Ades, who coached Rosebud to the 2025 MPFNL premiership, said.

“The sell just becomes different.”

Ades has been learning the recruiting ropes with the help of North Cairns Tigers footy operations manager Dave Carroll, who has done “a power of work” tracking down players.

The pair are targeting players aged 22 to 25, typically finished their apprenticeships and have nothing tying them down at home.

“I’ve had a lot of interest from MPNFL players,’’ Ades said.

“A lot of guys are just curious more than anything, I think. A lot of players that I’ve coached against that you don’t have a whole lot to do with, but the minute they know that you’re off to do something else, they get in touch. We’re still working on a couple that are pretty pretty keen. We’ll see how that all lands.’’

Lloyd and Cahill, both carpenters, will be key players for the Tigers.

Lloyd had a previous connection to Port Douglas through work, which made the football side of the move an easy conversation once that fell into place.

“They were more than happy to get up there and try something different,’’ Ades said.

“And there’s quite a few in that boat right now too, there’s a few guys that are sort of close to committing.’’

Ades is also chasing a playing assistant FIFO coach — also from the MPFNL — to fly in for the bulk of the season and finals, with interest already coming from experienced players looking for a weekend escape.

Ades is still in Victoria but will travel north in late November for North Cairns Tigers’ first pre-season night, bringing the Victorian recruits with him for a meet-the-coach event — where he hopes to finalise his FIFO signing.

Anyone keen to join North Cairns is encouraged to reach out via the club’s Facebook page.

Ades has over 350 games of playing and coaching experience, including a 2025 premiership with Rosebud and four flags at Dingley.

Cahill brings VFL experience and a 2021 Dandenong Stingrays best and fairest to the midfield.

Lloyd adds a hard-running presence.

Ryan Kennedy offers genuine speed and elite ball use from Red Cliffs. Jai Grayling provides a strong forward target with NTFL pedigree. Bryce Manzie, just 20 with 70 senior games, adds dash and drive from halfback.

NORTH CAIRNS TIGERS’ 2027 RECRUITS

Jimmy Cahill — Arrives from Frankston YCW with VFL experience and a 2021 Dandenong Stingrays Best & Fairest to his name.

Harry Lloyd — Joins from Frankston YCW with VFL experience at Box Hill. Hard-running player.

Ryan Kennedy — Comes from Red Cliffs with genuine pace and elite ball use, having earned back-to-back Most Consistent awards.

Jai Grayling — Joins from Red Cliffs with NTFL experience, finishing runner-up in the league’s goal-kicking and Best & Fairest award.

Bryce Manzie — Signs from Red Cliffs with 70 senior games already at just 20 years of age, adding dash from halfback.