AFL CAIRNS: Can Crocs crush Saints and sew up top spot?
Published Friday 12 August 2016
PORT Douglas is just one win away from securing the minor premiership and the all-important double chance.
The Crocs take on fierce rival Cairns Saints tomorrow and a win will make it impossible for anyone to leapfrog them on the AFL Cairns table.
They sit two games clear of their nearest threat, South Cairns, heading into the Saints clash and with just two matches remaining (and a bye) after tomorrow, victory will sew up top spot given their enormous percentage of 260.06.
Key tall Hayden Graham returns for Port Douglas tomorrow at Griffiths Park in a match the Saints would have steeled themselves for. Last year’s premiers have had an up-and-down season and find themselves in fourth position after 17 rounds, and out of top-two contention.
However, finishing in the lower rungs of the top-four holds no fear for the Saints, who climbed from third position to topple the Cutters in an epic 2015 grand final at Cazalys Stadium. They defeated the Crocs in the preliminary final en-route to that triumph, and the pain won’t dissipate until Brad Cooper’s men right the wrong come finals time. The Port Douglas coach will likely treat tomorrow’s match as a finals dress rehearsal against the perennial AFL Cairns powerhouse, who they’ve easily accounted for twice this season.
The Crocs saluted by six-goals in round four against the Saints and 43-points in round 11, with a dominant midfield getting it done on both occasions. Tough on-baller Pete Bury was best-on-ground the last time the teams met and has featured in the best players in 11 of his 14 matches this year. Declan Kelly (nine) also proved a handful and has enjoyed a consistent season for the ladder leaders, who will be confident of extending their winning streak to 14 come Saturday afternoon.
AFL CAIRNS - ROUND 18:
Saturday 13 August - 3pm
Cairns Saints v Port Douglas Crocs
Griffiths Park, Cairns
SELECTED TEAMS:
