By Des Rolfe

Paradoxically on the day of the Winter Solstice, the Croc Pit was bathed in glorious sunshine.

80 footballers were able to play their respective matches in ideal conditions.  The Crocs were at home to Centrals Trinity Beach and managed to grab the 4 points in both Seniors and Reserves.

The Senior match started in the usual frantic fashion with the adrenaline pumping as both teams sought to gain the physical ascendancy.  At the first quarter break only a goal separated the two sides.  And at half -time the Crocs were protecting a 2 goal margin. 

The second half told a different tale with the Crocs gradually seizing the initiative and holding the whip hand.  Jumping Jimmy Mueller was leaping tall buildings and palming the ball smoothly to Dillon Prater, Weary, Turtle, Rowan "Zinger" Hanley and Sam Scally, who were then able to force the ball forward.  The pressure applied to the Centrals' defence was immense as the Crocs forays into the 50 metre zone became more frequent.

Darren Garth and Antony Sercombe up forward were playing in front and reaping the benefits.

Zinger snapped a great running goal. Thomas Clough kept adding to his possession tally in silky fashion. The Crocs find themselves so well-placed on the ladder because of the contributions every game by players of the calibre of Josh Lea, Alex Bendle, Michael Klein-Boonschate, Brett McKeown and Tim Oke.  When you add in Scotty Roberts, Zak Stephenson and Damien Williams to the mix, its obvious why the Crocs win/loss ratio is so positive.

In a surprise coaching move Brad Cooper slotted Turtle's brother Cameron Cross into the squad and he brought some controlled aggression to the team make-up.  

After a bit of argy-bargy in mid-field the Crocs goaled form the 50 metre penalty and through superior team play the lead had opened out to 11 goals.  Brad Lawlor kicked a 65 metre goal and Kaine Freyling and Ash Davidson slipped in cleverly and finished off with nice goals to add to the tally.  

Another impressive performance by the Crocs.  Next week they face an acid test when they welcome the Saints to the Croc Pit. Ladder leaders versus third place.  Should be a blinder.

In the Reserves match Centrals sprinted out of the blocks and kicked accurately for goal.  Andrew" Bucket" MacLeod, Harlen Paulet, Pat Molan and Jack Dickson all started well and worked valiantly to stem the tide.  As the second quarter progressed the Crocs clawed their way back into the game.  Ethan  McCullough produced a best on ground performance and Dylan Peirce, Shaun Ladds and Hayden Bogicevic were playing entertaining, high standard football. 

The last quarter was the clincher for the Crocs.  Everyone lifted.  Jordan Corbett dobbed a nice goal.  Scott McKay who had worked hard up forward all day kicked his 5th goal.  Liam Edwards, Daniel Fenech, Keith Taylor and Tim Thomson had all made significant contributions to the win.  

Speaking of impressive performances Saturday night at the Croc Pit was a testosterone, or  should that be oestrogen-fuelled, mad-cap event.  It was the staging of the annual Crocs In Frocks extravaganza.  And what a night of gender bending confusion it was.  In a hilarious showing by the boys, perhaps the stand-outs were Michael KB who really smashed Miley Cyrus's Wrecking Ball and Scotty Roberts whose exciting strip tease had all eyes on him. Well done , great organisation by Darryl "German " Taylor and a talented emcee job by Alex Bendle.  Thanks  thanks also for all the work put in  by the Crocs committee.

RESULTS:

SENIORS:

Crocs 21.21-147 def. Centrals 13.7-85.

Goals: A. Sercombe 4.  Z. Stephenson 3.  A. Boone 3.  D. Garth 2.  J. Lea.  K. Freyling.  T. Clough.  D. Cross.  D. Prater.  R. Hanley.  D. Wearmouth.  A. Davidson.  B. Lawlor.

Best:  J. Mueller.  D. Garth.  S. Scally.  A. Boone.  T. Clough

Reserves:

Crocs 13.12-90 def. Centrals 7.9-51

Goals: S.McKay 5.  E. McCullough 2.  J. Corbett.  A. MacLeod.  L. Edwards.  D. Peirce.  H. Paulet.  T. Thomson.  

Best:  E. McCullough.  P. Molan.  H. Bogicevic.  A. MacLeod.  S. McKay.

Next game is at home at the Croc Pit Saturday 28th.  Reserves 1pm.  Seniors 3pm.

GO CROCS!