Wow! What a way to blast into the new AFL season - night footy at the Croc Pit! Who needs the MCG? Perfection in Paradise!

On Thursday night Port Douglas Crocs played host to Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs to kick off the Crocs' 25th season.  Weather conditions were reasonable, a tricky breeze, and the ground was heavy after the rain. There was also an excellent crowd in attendance.
 
The Crocs fielded a new-look team with ten new faces and three past players returning.
 
From the snappy opening bounce it was game on.  Players from both teams were toey to get into the action and grab the early ascendancy.  Great ruckwork from Lukas Teasdale gave the smaller Crocs' mid-fielders, Kurt Bradshaw, Mark Nuggin and Dylan Wearmouth, numerous opportunities to push the ball into their forward zone where Craig Shaw and new assistant coach, Bradden Kazakoff, proved too tall and strong for their opponents.  

Inaccurate kicking for goal let the home team down.  At quarter time Senior Coach, Brad Cooper, reminded his boys to team up and talk, and to get the new players into the game.
 
In the second quarter, new boys James Backway, Ben Saunders and Daniel Sharp, along with Scotty Roberts, Gavin Jacks and Ben McCartney, were in everything, but the Bulldogs' persistent effort was paying off and keeping them in touch.
 
The Crocs' superior fitness showed out in the second half of the game and their better positional play saw them break away from their opponents.  It became the "Craig Shaw Affair" as the Crocs piled on the goals.  The pace slowed but the intensity and endeavour never wavered.
 
At the final siren the Crocs had run out clear winners. 'Coops' must surely be satisfied with their first hit-out.

Final Scores:
Crocs 22-22-154 def. Bulldogs 13-12-90.
Goals: C. Shaw 5.  G. Jacks 3.  B. Kazakoff 3.  B. Saunders 3.  M. Nuggin 2.  K. Bradshaw 2. D. Sharpe.  J. Astill.   T. Bowring.  L. Teasdale.  B. Young.
Best: D. Wearmouth.  B. Saunders.  M. Nuggin.  B. McCartney.  L. Teasdale.  G. Jacks.

RESERVES
 
In the Reserves game the Crocs proved too strong for their opponents.  There was great hard ball work by Pat 'Zorba' Barnett, Andrew McLeod, Corey Barter and Jack Stewart, scintillating forward play by Jackson Brown, strong ruckwork by Matthew Gard,  John Caswell kept things tidy across the backline, and a more mobile Jason 'Harry' Wilkie showed the benefit of a good pre-season.  

It was great to see Nathan Evans run on to the field for his first taste of senior football. Coach Lynton Heffer would be pleased with the boys' performance in the opening game of the 2013 season.  

Final Scores: Crocs 20-15-135 def. Bulldogs 4-2-26.
Goals: J. Wilkie 3.  A. McLeod 2.  P. Barnett 2.  J. Caswell
Best:  P. Barnett.  C. Barter.  J. Caswell.  M. Gard.  A. McLeod.  J. Stewart.

On a more sombre note, The Crocs lost one of its founding members in the off-season.  The game was dedicated to the memory of local legend, Ernie Baxter. Ernie will be sorely missed. Players and officials from both teams joined with the crowd in a minute's silence to honour him.
 
Next week the Crocs have the bye.  The week after, Saturday 13 April, will be a twilight game at the Crocpit against the Hawks with the Reserves kicking off at 3pm and the seniors game beginning at 5pm.
 
The club looks set for a great 25th year so get on board, and come and support the boys.
 
GO CROCS!