AN inspired five-goal first quarter from captain Kye Chapple has steered Port Douglas to a 36-point win over reigning premier Cairns Saints on Saturday.

The Crocs spearhead came out smoking at Griffith Park slamming home five of his teams six opening term goals to set up the important victory. He finished with eight-majors to enhance his reputation as one of the competition most explosive forwards.

“Our skipper stood up and lead from the front,” Crocs coach Brad Cooper said.

“He set us up with those five goals in the first quarter and played an important role in getting us going.”

Chapple’s heroics helped the Crocs to a 14-point lead at the first break. They then kept the Saints scoreless in the second term while booting another six-goals themselves to have the match sewn up at half time, holding a commanding 53-point advantage.

Kallum Oates was a constant target at centre-half-forward finishing with three majors, while teenager Brett McKeown’s shut down job on Saints running machine Kieran Daley was pivotal. Todd Shapter, Dylan Wearmouth and Peter Bury were also instrumental in the 17.11 (113) to 12.5 (77) win.

“Any time you can beat a side like that on their home deck is a great result,” Cooper said.

“We are starting to combine passages of play really well. The guys have taken in what we’ve been doing wrong and are starting to do it right which is really pleasing.

“We had a really even spread of contributors, the guys are starting to understand the way we play which is a positive sign this early in the season.”

The victory sees Port Douglas entrench themselves in the AFL Cairns top-two heading into this weekends representative bye.

AFL CAIRNS - ROUND 4:

Cairns Saints 4.1 4.1 7.3 12.5 (77)
Port Douglas Crocs 6.3 12.6 13.9 17.11 (113)

Port Douglas Crocs:
Goals: Chapple 8, Oates 3, Wearmouth 2, Lewis, McKeown, Shapter, MacInnes
Best: Chapple, McKeown, Shapter, Wearmouth, Bury, Lea.