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HERMIT Park marked their 1000th Townsville AFL premiership game with a gutsy 13.3 (81) to 11.9 (75) win against a resurgent Curra Swans at Neil French Oval on Saturday.

Any thoughts the Tigers would dominate their cellar-dweller opponents were quickly struck aside as both teams traded points from the outset of the contest.

Curra even hit the lead in the later stages of the game, but a late rally handed Hermit Park victory and the annual Eric Johns Cup contested between the two clubs.

"We won by four goals in the end, it was anyone's game heading into the last quarter, we were probably three goals up and had our noses in front," Hermit Park coach Barry Gibson said. "It probably wasn't the prettiest win for us, I thought we made a lot of silly decisions throughout the course of the game, but when they tested us I was really impressed with our character and the fact we dug deep to get the win.

"They had their noses in front at one stage in the third quarter so it was pretty close, probably the standout thing for me was just the way we persevered despite not having the best day."

Five games were played between the two clubs in a variety of grades, with Hermit Park winning all five.

"We had a good turnout and I think the games were played in great spirit, everyone was pretty happy with that, from our club's perspective obviously to win the Eric Johns Cup five games to nil in all grades was a fantastic achievement," Gibson said.

In Saturday's other premier game, Thuringowa sent out a stern message to the rest of the competition with a 19.11 (125) to 5.6 (66) against University.

Thuringowa coach Doug Ward said he could draw no faults from their methodical win. "It was definitely one of our best performances from start to finish," he said.

"We didn't have any flat periods in the whole game, it was very good to put it together."

Thuringowa are now three wins clear at the top of the Townsville AFL premiership ladder.

- MICHAEL THOMPSON