Dead calm, humid and a dry surface. A complete contrast to last week. The Crocs were optimistic about returning to the winning list with dry ball football and a fast-flowing contest which was much easier on the spectators' eyes than the previous match.
 
One minute after the bounce of the ball the first goal went to the Crocs.  Skip Gribbon posted Port Douglas' second three minutes later, and a fabulous passage of forward play by the Crocs resulted in a goal to Luke Serong. 

The Crocs had produced a great first quarter with the Hawks' first goal not coming until the twenty minute mark. With a five goal lead things looked great for the Crocs.
 
The second quarter started with tough, gritty football from both teams. First blood went to the Hawks but Crocs' 17 year old Michael McKeown replied with a great goal. 
 
Unfortunately for the Crocs the great endeavour and work ethic shown in the first half deserted them after the half-time interval.  In the third quarter the Hawks really revived. 

As the breeze freshened the Hawks started made better use of the ball.  More accurate kicking made them look the faster and fitter team and as the Crocs tempo slowed, the scoreboard proved it was nowhere near game over. 

The Hawks did almost all the scoring, managing to level the scores and the Crocs' fitness levels were now looking in need of an adrenaline shot.
 
The final quarter started at sprint pace with goals hard to come by.  But Hawks were doing just that bit better, going forward more frequently, kicking accurately for goal. 

Gradually, relentlessly they put the game beyond the Crocs' reach.  Then came a Crocs goal and they were only three goals down.  Could they get up?
 
Alas it was not to be as Hawks went on with it.
 
Pleasing aspects for Port Douglas were Mark Nuggins' performance in the mid-field.  His 35 possessions were almost all hard ball gets. 

Kurt Bradshaw (see his video player profile) persisted all day and won out over his opponent.  Michael McKeown (see his video player profile next week) showed maturity and a shrewd football brain way beyond his years, and Luke Serong's five goals in a losing side was very well done.
 
It was most disappointing that the Crocs had let this one slip away.

Final Scores: Port Douglas 12-11-83 lost to Manunda Hawks 17-9-111.
 
Best players: M.Nuggin. K.Bradshaw. M.McKeown. R.Hanley. L.Serong. J.O'Gorman
 
Goal Kickers: L.Serong 5.  K.Bradshaw 2. M. McKeown 2. S. Gribbon. B.Lawlor. D.Kane.
 
Reserves
 
The Reserves game was marred as a spectacle because Manunda Hawks were unable to field 18 players.  The match became very one-sided. 

At half-time coach Darren Wall welcomed under 16 player Chasely Nandy and congratulated him on being selected for his first senior game.  He showed he will be a huge asset with his great pace and tenacity. 
 
Match highlights included Sam Evans' lovely mark followed by a long bomb goal, Jason "Harry" Wilkie booting 11 goals in a great performance, and it was great to see Luke "Doggy" Bloom play so well in his final appearance for the Crocs. Thanks for four and a half fabulous seasons Bloomy.
 
Next week Crocs travel to Crathern Park to do battle with Centrals Trinity Beach.
 
Final scores: Port Douglas 27-13-175 def. Manunda Hawks 2-0-12.
 
Best players:  L.Bloom.  S.Evans.  C.Tickell.  M.Petrack.  J.Wilkie.
 
Goal Kickers. J.Wilkie 11.  L.Bloom 7.  S.Evans 5.  S.Cole 2.  J.Lowe.  B.Herbert.

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