It might still be the cricket season, but there's plenty happening for the Port Douglas Crocs AFL club with new lights raring to go, pre-season training kicking off, and the possible return to the playing list of star midfielder.

Four light towers worth over $350,000 will illuminate the Croc Pit, and there are plans in place for twilight matches in season 2013.

Club president Andy Smith told The Newsport the new facilities will deliver a number of benefits.

"We only had lights that were put up about 12 years ago, and they were out-dated in the end and worn out and cost us around $5,000 a year (to run).

"They only lit up about an eighth of the ground so really training started at 5.30 and you really only had one hour before it was dark.

"Now we can train longer, do more drills, and the whole ground will be lit up."

With plans afoot by AFL Cairns to play some finals at night next year, the Crocs won't be like rabbits in the headlights with the ability to become accustomed to the conditions throughout the season.

The construction of the new lights also means junior matches will be able to be played locally.

"They're going to have between five and ten games there with the Under 16s and 18s. As long as I can remember they've been driving up and down every week playing in Cairns," Smith said.

"All those kids whose parents have been carting them up and down every week playing in Cairns, now every second week they'll be able to play up here.

"It'll be good for the club and good for the kids."

The senior Crocs struggled in 2012 with up to 20 injuries at a time decimating their list, but the club is well on the way to recruiting up to a dozen new faces while retaining some of this year's key players.

Rumours abound that former Crocs' player and league champion Daniel Smith has already signed with his former team, however president Smith said the gun midfielder has not put pen to paper.

"We're talking to him at the moment. Money is always an issue with us versus the bigger clubs down south. We're sticking to a strict budget and have cut costs right back in line with where the town is at.

From the archives - watch former captain Evan Hocking interview Daniel Smith in a Newsport Player Profile (top left)

"You can't go and rape and pillage the whole town to support the footy club.

"I spoke with Daniel on Sunday and he's going to an interview with a club in Brisbane. We've offered him a reasonable deal," he said.