by Mat Churchill

Port Douglas has come down with Grand Final fever as the biggest game of the year approaches for the Port Douglas Football Club.

The senior and reserves teams have taken different paths to reach the season finale.

The seniors, a class above the opposition from the first round until their finals clash with other premiership contender, the Cairns Saints, two weeks ago, while the reserves built their season through dogged determination, peaking at the right time of the year.

Coach of the senior team and recently named Coach of the Year, Andy Viola, said having both teams playing this Saturday is reward for the hard work of the last 12 months.

"It means a lot to the club. Coming off last year (when the team struggled to win a game) we've seen massive improvement. We worked hard to get our structures right in the preseason."

Viola was philosophical about the poor form that saw the Crocs lose to the Saints in the Semi Final, and challenged in the Preliminary Final until the second half against the Centrals.

"I think the young squad was affected by the weight of expectation," he said. "After the stumble in the second Semi there was a fear of going out in straight sets.

"It's easy to over-think and over-analyse. We got back to our basic structure and game plan of long kicking into our forward line, and getting front and centre for the crumbs. We had to stay true to ourselves."

The Saints have a number of highly talented players and Viola said it will be a team effort to stop their key leaders.

"With players like Powell, Coatsworth, Kennedy who's a crumber, and Walsh at full forward, we'll share the workload."

Crocs Senior player, Ben McCartney, said the team gained confidence by its strong finish to the Preliminary Final. "It was big win at the end of the game and it gives us a good mindset. It also puts it in the mind of the Saints as well."

Asked if there would be a change in tactics from the last time they played, and lost to, the Saints McCartney said "Andy always surprises us. Maybe we played too defensively last time."

Popular Reserves player, Sam Evans, said the team will focus on its own game rather than players from North Cairns this Saturday."We'll let them worry about us," he said.

"Hard running and shepherds will be the key, and which ever team adapts to the finals pressure first (will be triumphant). The whole town is buzzing. We get asked how we're feeling by people around town. It's great," he said.

The Reserves Grand Final kicks off at 12.30pm this Saturday, followed by the Seniors at 3pm.

A Crocs Supporter Bus will leave Port at 10.30am from the football ground (with a pick up at IGA bus stop), and will return at 6.30pm from Cazaly's Stadium. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling Scott Ewert on 0414 800 485.