Before the first siren sounded at Cazaly’s stadium there was no doubt that the weekend’s clash with the Manunda Hawks would be the biggest test of depth the team from Port Douglas had faced all year.

There were plenty of dramas for the Crocs in the lead up to the game with many big guns unable to take their place in the team. Matt Shaw and Steven Lyons were ruled out on Thursday with injuries, Mitchell Nicholson suffered a knee injury on the Friday before the game, and Jackson Brown was reprimanded for an incident from his mid-week game.

To compound their concerns,  the Crocs received a Saturday morning phone call from in form forward, Sammy Boxall, apologising for missing a flight, leaving the premiership favourites with some big gaps to fill.

After a slow start there was no doubt the Crocs had the depth needed to maintain their high standards with many smooth forays into the forward line in the first half, despite struggling to put the score on the board.

By half time the Hawks held a slender lead, but with the constant pressure applied by Evan Hocking in the back line, and Paul Minchington around the ground the Crocs wore the Hawks down in the third and fourth stanzas to take the game 13.23. 101 to 10.12. 72.

It was always going to be a struggle for the Magoos with many players getting the call up to play Seniors.

Ryan Worn and Kerrod Andrews were once again the standout performers, and the experience of Kenny Nyko and Lynton Heffer showed through with great intuition and accuracy in the forward line.

Even with Benny Herbert and Jimmy Astill providing big targets around the ground the boys just couldn’t capitalise, going down to a well drilled Hawks outfit 12.17. 89 to 6.5. 41.

This week the Crocs are on the road as they take on the Saints.