by Des Rolfe

What a stuttering start to the game against Centrals Trinity Beach on Saturday.  Because the surface of the Crathern Park oval was deemed unsuitable for play the Seniors match was moved to Holloways Beach. 

The Reserves match was abandoned without a blow being struck.  Finally, at 3.30pm the patience of the spectators was rewarded as the siren blew to signal the start of play.
 
In the first half Port Douglas Crocs picked up from where they had left off last week.  Winning in the ruck, pushing forward at a furious pace and kicking accurately for goal. 

Daniel Smith was absolutely dominating and he kept the standard up all day. He was a will o' the wisp bobbing up everywhere.  Justin White and Sammy Boxall thrashing the opposition in the forward line.  Mitch Nicholson playing extremely well in the midfield.  Even hard task master Coach Andy Viola was pleased with the endeavour shown by his Crocs team. 

Captain Evan Buddha Hocking continued to be impassable, doing things most footballers would give their eye teeth to be able to do.  He provided numerous opportunties for Colin Karpany, Brenton Bading and Mansy to punch the ball into attack.
 
The tempo of the game dropped away in the second half as the heat took its toll, but the Crocs' superior fitness and the players' willingness to stick to the coach's game plan saw them maintain their substantial lead.  Great individual efforts from players Jackson Brown, Ryan Worn, Kane Uebergang and Luke Bloom kept the Crocs in a winning position.
 
The "quiet assassin" Justin White destroyed his opponent's confidence by finishing the day with nine goals due to great positioning and overhead marking.  Sammy Boxall finished the game as he started presenting himself as a target for his downfield team mates.

All in all a great team effort!
 
The Crocs next game is against Saints at Griffiths Park.  This promises to be a wonderful spectacle as both teams are in brilliant form.
 
As reported in the AFL Cairns footy record, congratulations are due to Port Douglas Crocs coach Andy Viola, the 2010 Coach of the Year, on his appointment as coach of the 2011 AFL Cairns Rep team, who will compete against AFL Sydney on Sunday 12th June 2011 at Cazalys stadium.  A good date to jot in the diary.

Final Scores: Port Douglas 24-11-155 def. Centrals 7-9-57. 
 
Goal kickers: Justin White 9.  Sam Boxall 4.  Kane Uebergang 2.  Brenton Bading 2.  Dale Penney 2.  Daniel Smith 2. 
 
Best Players: Evan Hocking, Daniel Smith, Colin Karpeny, Brennan Beale, Sam Boxhall, Justin White, Mitch Nicholson