The Port Douglas Crocs go into this weekend's bye in second place on the Cairns AFL ladder following their 32-point defeat of Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs on Saturday (18th May).

Spectators and players enjoyed ideal conditions at Crathern Park for the Round 8 match, with teams taking advantage of their long kicking, high marking games.

The Crocs started strong, with ruckman Lukas Teasdale, Scott Roberts, Bradden Kazzakoff and Adam Boone combining for a Boone goal to start the first term.

Centrals responded immediately and controlled most of the play, but were plagued by inaccurate kicking.  Crocs backman Ben McCartney dominated in defence under constant attack from the opposition, giving the Crocs an opportunity to claw back some ground.  

Port hit the front again after a major from Jimmy Astill, with Gavin Jacks providing solid drive from the midfield. Teasdale and Alex Bendle were in everything. There was plenty of talk and high-level teamwork among the Crocs, with a fierce desire for the ball evident by quarter time.

Chasely Nandi opened the second term for the Crocs with two goals, spurring the Crocs to step up harassing tactics, causing Centrals turnovers. Boone slotted through a long kick for goal and Mark Nuggin was finding his silken touch.

The second half was more of the same, with very little separating the teams. The Crocs notched up their intensity in the third, proving better around the packs and at centre clearances. Kazza was taking solid marks and Dylan Wearmouth continued to gather possessions.

Taking advantage of a free kick from a great Ben Young tackle, Adam "Always in Front" Boone recorded another major for his side. The McKeown boys, Brett and Michael, earned their senior stripes with top performances.

By the final siren, the Crocs had perfected their recipe for success: pure guts, grit and determination. Port recorded their sixth win for the season in another enthralling game of AFL Cairns senior footy, just one game behind the undefeated North Cairns.

The final score Centrals Trinity Beach 12.10 (82) def by Port Douglas Crocs 17.12 (114).

The Reserves match enjoyed an exciting opening, with first blood drawn by the home team. The Crocs responded immediately with goals to Kerrod "Bully" Andrews and Pat "Zorba" Barnett. Both sides fought for possession. A Jason "Harry" Wilkie goal early in the second term tied scores up at three goals apiece.

Like their senior counterparts, the Crocs reserves made the most of Centrals' inaccurate kicking. Liam Edward popped through a handy goal late in the third quarter and John Carwell was in everything. The Crocs were manning up well, with Matt Gard, Max Petrack and Daniel Harris showing plenty of dash.

Adam Marks, Tony Gooding, Jack Lowe and Jack Steward were fierce in contests, hurling themselves into the packs. Scores were level at the start of the final term, but Centrals couldn't keep up with the Crocs' superior fitness. Port sealed the win with a four-goal scoring spree. Final score Centrals 6.11 (47) def by Crocs 9.7 (61).

The Crocs have the bye next week, then host Manunda Hawks on June 1 at the Croc Pit.

Additional reporting from Emma Groves