A strong, cool breeze greeted the Crocs boys as they lined up for the first semi-final against Centrals Trinity Beach at Cazaly's on Saturday.  

Brad Cooper, Evan "Buddha" Hocking, Luke Bloom and Mitch Nicholson were on the pace quickly but the first three inside 50s resulted in only minor scores.  

The Crocs' failure to man-up became telling and the use of the wind was wasted, but Matt Shaw kicked a great goal from an impossible angle. Buddha was carted off the ground on a stretcher after a head knock and it was beginning to look like it was not the Crocs' day.  

Dan Smith, Kane Uebergang and Timmy Karpany became more prominent and Campbell Wurrumarba goaled to generate some momentum, but four goals to one was not a great dividend.
 
Centrals showed how to use the breeze in the second quarter and had four goals on the board in seven minutes.  The Crocs ball handling was poor, with fumbles and turnovers evident.  

David Kruse was taken from the field on a stretcher and the team could be forgiven for wondering what was going to happen next?  

Mitch Nicholson, who was starring for the Crocs dobbed a nice goal, and he and TK continued to pick up numerous possessions. At the half-time siren the game was in the balance - the Crocs a mere three points in front.  
 
The match continued on an even keel in the third quarter with neither team able to score.  The gusty, swirling wind was not helping.  Finally Scott Roberts fired a tremendous long bomb which cleared the pack and brought up a major.  

At three-quarter time a three goal lead to the Crocs did not seem enough.
 
The last quarter opened with another lovely goal form Scott Roberts, quickly followed by another from Brad Cooper.  Matt Shaw managed to kick a third and the Crocs' supporters breathed a little easier.  

The grinding pace continued in typical finals fashion.  Scrambly play resulted in a goal to Sammy Boxall and it was reassuring, but surprising to many, to see Buddha and David Kruse return to the play.  

The Crocs' sheer will to win triumphed in the end.
 
It is hoped that this persistence will stand the Crocs in good stead when they face the Manunda Hawks in another cut-throat preliminary final match at Cazalys.  This promises to be an enthralling struggle with a Grand Final appearance the prize.
 
Congratulations go to Reserves coach Darren Wall and his boys on maintaining their unbeaten run this season and winning through to the Grand Final in two weeks time.  

After a slow start which saw the Crocs fall behind their opponents, Cairns Saints, in the second semi final they gradually made up ground and got across the line for a thirteen point win.  This earned the team a week's rest. Well done!
 
RESULTS

Seniors:
Port Douglas Crocs 15.6-106 def. Centrals Trinity Beach 9.8-62.
Best players:  M. Nicholson, C. Karpany, K. Uebergang, M. Doust, M.Shaw,  D.Fisher.
Goal Kickers: M. Shaw 4.  M.Nicholson 3.  M. Doust.  S. Boxall 2.  C Wurramarrba 2.  J.Brown
 
Reserves:
Port Douglas Crocs 10.18-78 def. Cairns Saints 10.5-65.
Best Players: E. Dos Reis, Z O'Gorman, B. Herbert, L. Butterss. M.Petrack.
Goal kickers: T. Hanly 3.  J. Goodall 2.  A. Seaholme 2.  E. Dos Reis, J. Wilkie, D. Rees.