Port Douglas Crocs finished their 2012 season on a high note by recording impressive wins in both their Senior and Reserve matches.

At home to Cairns City Lions, the boys were determined to show their supporters that they had coalesced into two potent football teams, due to to the dedication of their coaches and each player's willingness to take his share of the load.
 
Senior coach Brad Cooper who, incidentally, has been re-appointed for the next two years, has earned and retained the respect of his players because of his knowledge of the game and his encouraging manner.
 
Reserves coach Darren Wall is to be congratulated on getting his team into the finals for the second year running.  Wallie has worked in well with Coops to ensure they have enhanced the skills of many young players and developed a great team ethos which was quickly understood by so many new names on the player list.
 
Last Saturday's matches were played in beautiful, but warm, conditions.  The opening quarter of the Seniors match was characterised by great defensive work by both teams and nobody bothered the goal umpires. 

Port Douglas opened their account with a nice mark and goal to Gavin Jacks.  This was immediately followed by back to back goals to full-forward Adam Boone.  Adam  proved far too elusive for his opponent as the match progressed, and in a brilliant performance, finished with 10 goals.  Further goals to Jacks and Boone showed a quarter time score line of 7 goals to the Crocs and 2 to the Lions.
 
The Crocs continued their high work rate in the second quarter with quick goals to Mick McKeown and, after a nice passage of play from Charlie Williams over to Skip Gribbon - another goal. 

Kane Freyling and Joel Lawlor were teaming well in defence and repelling many of the Lions' thrusts into attack.  Paddy Godsell popped through a ripper goal for the home team and the half-time siren showed a score line of 12 goals to 7 with Port Douglas maintaining their 5 goal margin.
 
In the second half the crowd continued to be entertained by fast open football by both teams but with the Crocs always in the ascendency.  16 year old Chasely Nandy took a great mark and snapped truly.  Mark Nuggin capped off a best on ground performance by popping through another. Mark, along with acting captain Dylin Wearmouth, Kurt Bradshaw and Jules Smith dominated the midfield all day and provided their forwards with a feast of opportunities.  The Crocs superior fitness enabled them to increase their lead and run out worthy winners. 

Port Douglas 26-12-168 def. Cairns City Lions 13-7-85.
 
Goals:  A. Boone. 10.  G. Jacks. 3.  K. Bradshaw 3.  S. Gribbon 2.  J. Pearce 2.  C. Williams 2.  C. Nandy.  M. McKeown.  J. O'Gorman.
 
Best: D. Wearmouth.  M. Nuggin.  K. Bradshaw.  G. Jacks.  C. Nandy. 
 
In another entertaining game the Port Douglas Reserves proved too strong for the visitors.  The boys have the bye next week which will give them a chance ot overcome any niggling injuries in readiness for their elimination final encounter the following week.  We wish them luck. 
 
Full forward Jason "Harry" Wilkie finished off the Home and Away season in stellar fashion.  His 13 goals for the match took his tally to 101 for the year.  An outstanding effort.  Harry was chaired from the ground and given a standing ovation by his supporters.  Well done!
 
Port Douglas 21-11-137 def.  Lions 5-1-31.
 
Goals:  J. Wilkie 13.  H. Bogicevic 2.  K. Taylor.  A. Laird.  J. Astill.  L. Templeton.  E. Simpson.  J. Ramsay.
 
Best:  J. Wilkie. J. Ramsay.  P. Barnett.  S. Cole.  K. Taylor.  C. Pattinson.

Congratulations are due to President Andy Smith and his committee for successfully guiding the club through a difficult year.  Special thanks to our volunteers, without whose tireless efforts we could not put teams on the field.
 
GO CROCS!