By Pat Barnett

This year has flown by so fast that without so much as a friendly reminder the Crocs find themselves at the last away game of the year.  With only one game to go against Centrals at home this week, Hawks hosted the unbeaten Crocs at Cazaly’s on Saturday afternoon for what was a great prelude to finals footy in the venue that will host all senior and reserve grade games over the 3 finals weekends.

After a rather large grounding by Saints the week before the reserve side was keen to show that they deserved second spot and can provide the form needed to play finals football. 

Hawks on the other hand wanted the win to help cement a spot higher than fourth on the ladder.  The game was hotly contested all day with Hawks holding the lead by a fine margin for most of the day. 

The swirling breeze that is quite common at Cazaly’s made it difficult for the forwards to find the goal. But with the strength of Bryce Willis, Chad Bertram and Timmy Hanley in the middle of the ground it made the difficult job of keeping Hawks honest on their home ground bearable and gave the Crocs forwards plenty of opportunities and lightened the load for Ryan Worn and John Baynes who did their usual best the back line. 

The Crocs never fell more than 9 points behind and ran the last quarter out like the solid unit they have formed to come out victorious 7. 13. 55 to 5.14. 44.

With the seniors keen to get a strong feel for the ground and a big ramp up into finals the Crocs came out firing from the get go and let Hawks know they meant business. 

Evan Hocking was dominant in the back line stopping most rearward heading balls, while Kane Ubergang and Stevie Lyons where pivotal on the half forward line.   This let the Crocs put 11.5 on the board securing a 5 goal lead by the end of the first quarter.

Hawks responded like a well drilled finals contending side and closed the gap considerably in the second term but after a re shuffle by Head Coach, Andy Viola the boys came out in the third with Gareth Delaney and Benny McCartney performing superbly helping The Port Douglas Crocs shut the Hawks down convincingly by the final siren 28.18. 186 to 11.6. 72.

If that wasn’t enough excitement for one day all of The Port Douglas club including Mr Shaw himself knew a 12 goal haul for  the day was a big ask but not impossible so he could make the 100 for the year.  By half time he had 9 so the tension had certainly mounted on the man as the task was not impossible. 

He started the fourth with 10 it was late in the quarter when a quick handball from Benny McCartney saw number 100 sail through the posts and the big man celebrate what is the only 100 tally kicked in the history of the Port Douglas Crocs AFL Club. 

So make sure you make it to the Croc Pit this weekend to celebrate Shaw’s amazing achievement and cheer the Crocs on in their challenge again with Centrals Trinity Beach.

As the finals are fast approaching and the last regular season game takes place this coming Saturday at home on 28th August, the Crocs are now casting their eyes towards making the social finale a fitting climax to the year for our soon to be champions.

On the last home game date of the 28th of August social activities will kick off with the famous Chicken and Champagne Ladies Day followed by hilarious "Players Review," a red-faces style event that will produce some unforgettable memories. But more importantly everyone needs to bring back all sold and unsold car raffle books so they can be submited.

Hopefully this 'shindig' is just the start of a non-stop period of celebrations throughout the Finals campaign!

Call Port Douglas Club president Scott Ewert on 0414 800 485 for any help/info.