What a fitting way to draw the final curtain on the home and away season.  Second against third, winner takes the double chance and both teams evenly matched all season.  

The Saints leapt out of the blocks at Griffiths Park and grabbed an early lead from the Crocs.  Initially the Saints dominated play all over the ground, with better marking and cleaner finishing being the difference.  

But as has been their style all season the Crocs clawed their way back.  

Sammy Boxall kicked a nice goal after a 50 metre penalty and Buddha Hocking started to pull the defence together meaning scores were fairly even at quarter-time.
 
Both teams pumped up their endeavour in the second quarter as the intensity became ferocious. In-close fierce tackling, solid bumping, and both defences on top.  

Scoring became difficult but Ryan Worn relished his freedom to run in the ruck, while Matt Shaw led well in front of goal and brother Craig dobbed a timely goal to keep the Crocs in touch.  
 
Fortunately for the Crocs the Saints kicked inaccurately for goal and wasted opportunities, but the signs were beginning to look ominous for the Crocs.  Scotty Roberts and Timmy Karpany did a couple of nice things, while Matty Manns kept boring in and under the contests.  

The Crocs' back line came under astonishing pressure but held up reasonably well and in the forward line Brad Cooper lifted with good use of hand-ball and kicked a nice goal.
 
In the second half the Saints suddenly found the goals and maintained their better use of the the ball.  The flood gates opened and the battle was lost - the Crocs were overwhelmed.  By half way through the last quarter the pace had slowed to a walk as both teams were dog tired.  

Matt Shaw completed a very satisfactory day's work kicking his fifth goal while Craig Shaw finished with four.  
 
The size of the winning margin has left the Crocs' brains trust with a lot of planning to do in order to be competitive in the first semi final next Saturday against Centrals at Cazalys.  

The game starts at 3.30pm
 
Congratulations go to the Crocs Reserves for going through the home and away seaon undefeated. In a very entertaining, high standard game against Saints the Crocs showed they will be a force in the fight for this year's flag.  

Players to stand out in this match include Jason Wilkie and Justin White up forward, Mitchell Duff and Edson Dos Reis in the mid-field and Karl Zammataro and Ben Herbert in defence.  
 
RESULTS:
Seniors
Saints 24-13-157 def Crocs 13-7-85.
Goal kickers:  Matt Shaw 5.  Craig Shaw 4.  Daniel Smith, Matt Manns, Brad Cooper, Sam Boxall.
Best players: Ryan Worn, Matt Shaw, Jordan Butterss, Evan Hocking, Colin Karpany.
 
RESERVES.
Saints 9-7-61 were defeated by Crocs 10-10-70.
Goal kickers:  Jason Wilkie 5, Justin White 3,  Zac O'Gorman 2
Best Players: Zac O'Gorman, Jack Goodall, Kaine Scarano, Joel Lawlor, Ben Herbert.

LAST WORD
President, Scott Ewert, on behalf of the Port Douglas Committee wishes to thank all those volunteers who assisted in the successful running of the club this season.
 
These include Kylie Cox, Vicki Summer, Vee Clarke, Kristy Summer, Cindy Collyer, Tim Schrader, Mary-Lou Drew, Craig Bannister, Paul Scott, David Hammond, Rob Barnett, Norm Walker, Geoff Herbert, Simon "Muffy" James, Keith Lawrence, John Cameron, Michael Dollard, Andy Smith, Dave "00" Evans, George and Treveen Page, and Roy Zammataro.
 
Your contribution has been very much appreciated.
 
Go Crocs.