In the Crocs' only twilight game for the season they showed why they’re genuine premiership contenders with a hard fought 41 point win over finals bound Centrals Trinity Beach.

Lead by the irrepressible Daniel Smith, the Crocs started the game slowly with the Bulldogs throwing everything at the boys. Smithy received great support from the exciting David Kruse who dominated through the middle and together with Ben McCartney, Mitch Nicholson and Luke Bloom they kept the Crocs in the game in the early stages.

When the old stager, Brad Cooper, was injected into the game the whole team seemed to settle and gain more confidence with his experience and leadership. It wasn’t long before the well held Sammy Boxall and Matt Shaw started to find some goals fed brilliantly by Timmy Karpany and Scotty Roberts.

With a handy lead at the main break the Crocs held off a resurgent Bulldogs with some fine defensive work from youngsters Mick Doust and Jackson Brown.

The last quarter saw the Crocs put the sword to the Doggies and run away with a well deserved 21-16-142 to 15-11-101 win.

Next week the Crocs face their nemesis in Cairns Saints at Griffith Park. A win will see the Crocs play in the second semi-final the following week and secure the double chance.

Crocs Goal kickers
Boxall 6, M Shaw 6, Daniel Smith, Timmy Karpany & Justin White 2 and 1 each to Luke Bloom, Brad Cooper and Matty Manns.

Best Players
Daniel Smith, Matt Shaw, Sam Boxall, Timmy Karpany, David Kruse, Scotty Roberts and Jackson Brown

Reserves

In the magoos the boys continued on their merry way with another demolition job on the hapless Bulldogs. Final scores were Crocs 20-19-139 to Bulldogs 1 solitary behind.

Lead by the svelte Jason “Hippo” Wilkie with 9 goals the crocs mid-field of Edson Dos Reis and Mitchell Duff doing as they pleased the game was effectively over by quarter time.

Solid performances from the consistent Max Petrack and Centre Half Back, Ben Herbert, saw any attack by the opposition thwarted before it got too deep into the Croc’s backline.

With a great mix of experience and youth the Crocs have secured a semi-final berth and on current form should play in another Grand Final.

This weekend’s clash with reigning premiers, Cairns Saints, at Griffith’s Park, will decide second spot on the CAFL ladder as the home and away season wraps up for 2011.

In the reserves, up to nine players could be in the mix, but Jason “Harry” Wilkie has been in fantastic form with the boot all season.

Crocs Goal Kickers
Jason Wilkie 9, Daniel Rees 3,Hayden Bogicevic 2, Mitchell Duff 2, Bryce Willis 2,  and 1 each to Carl Zammataro, Tim Hanly and Edson Dos Reis

Best Players
Jason Wilkie, Edson, Dos Reis, Mitchell Duff, Max Petrack, Andrew Seaholme and Ben Herbert.

The previous game against the Cairns Lions, the Crocs senior team had no fewer than ten players that have come through the junior ranks. Ben McCartney, Mitchell Nicholson, Jordan Butterss, Kaine Freyling, Jackson Brown, Micheal Doust, Ashley Currie, Tim Hanly, Ben Herbert and Jack Goodall.

Other juniors to have played senior football this year include Carl Zammataro and Matty Gard.

Congratulations must go to the senior coaching staff and past and present junior coaches and development staff. Well done!

Meanwhile, the vote count to decide the Crocs best and fairest will take place on Sunday 4 September   at the Croc Pit.

In the seniors, it could be anyone’s guess as to who wins it, but front runners could be Kane Fridge Uebergang, or last year’s Andy Smith medalist, Dan Smith. Evan “Buddha” Hocking has also had a solid season with form, but injury in the later half of the season may see him miss out.

And finally, the under 18s Crocs have made it to the grand final, which will be played at Cazaly’s on Wednesday, August 31. Good luck boys!