Calm but humid conditions greeted the Port Douglas Crocs when they turned out to do battle with Centrals Trinity Beach at Crathern Park on Saturday. 

Highly skilled football was not evident early, with first blood going to Centrals.  Luke Serong booted a great banana goal to open the Crocs' account.  Almost immediately Luke marked again to dob his second.  Kurt Bradshaw was providing great early drive through the mid-field for the Crocs as the skill level lifted.
 
Crocs' coach Brad Cooper pulled off an interesting move by taking to the field himself for his first game of the season.  Brad made great use of his voice to encourage his team and his vast experience in position play helped to keep his boys focussed.  It was anyone's match at quarter time with the Crocs 3-2-20 leading Centrals 2-1-13.
 
The Crocs made a great start to the second quarter.  Ben McCartney burst through the pack with brute strength and his long kick to Skip Gribbon resulted in a goal. 

Ben Herbert was playing a good running game off the full back line.  Kurt Bradshaw continued to star, being in everything.  Skip Gribbon popped through a great goal and followed it by hauling in a screamer of a mark for another.  Things were looking promising for the Crocs at the long break, but would a five goal lead be enough?
 
A tentative start to the third quarter by the Crocs let Centrals in for two quick goals.  Bryce Willis got one back for Port but then two more to Centrals.  It was a two goal game. 

The steam was going out of the Crocs before Scott Hamilton put one on the board for the Crocs. The three quarter time siren couldn't come quickly enough for the Crocs' spectators with the match so delicately poised.
 
The all-important final term opened with two goals to Centrals.  It was a tied game but Centrals were doing all of the attacking. Injuries had taken a heavy toll on Port and the team was down to 16 fit players. 

Centrals continued to score goals. A belated goal to Brad Cooper for Crocs showed fighting spirit but Centrals were able to control the play and take out the match.

Centrals 14-5-89 def. Port Douglas 11-8-74.
 
Best: K. Bradshaw.  B. Herbert.  R. Hanley.
 
Goals:  S. Gribbon 3.  K. Freyling 2.  L. Serong 2.  J. Smith.  B. Willis.  B. Lawlor.

RESERVES
 
It was a one-sided Reserves game, but to their great credit the Crocs pressed home their advantage and teamed brilliantly until the final siren.

It was very pleasing to see that the Crocs played enthusiastically until the end of the game. Second gamer Chase Nandy put in another brilliant performance for the Crocs, as did Jason Wilkie who booted 12 goals.  Coach Darren Wall has again this year got his team off to a flyer.
 
Port Douglas 31-19-205 def. Centrals 0-1-1.
 
Best: J. Wilkie.  C. Nandy.  C. Tickell.  K. Taylor.
 
Goals:  J. Wilkie 12.  C. Nandy 6.  M. Lane 2.  B.  Combridge 2.  J. Caswell.  M. Pidgeon.  J. Lowe.  C. Tickell.  K. Andrews.

Next week the Crocs take on Cairns City Lions away at Holloways Beach.

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