PORT Douglas youngster Brett Mckeown has put a horror 2015 behind him in more ways than one.

Life couldn’t have got much better after he played in the Crocs 2014 premiership team as an 18-year old, but things took a tragic turn just before Christmas that year.

Mckeown had the wind knocked from his sails when he lost his close friend Daniel Smith in a shark attack near Rudder Reef.

He then battled chronic groin issues which put a line through his 2015 season, but it was the passing of his mate that led to a lack of motivation for the game.

“I didn’t really think much about footy for the rest of that year to be honest,” the likable 20-year old said.

“It was a tough time, losing Daniel, and my groin was pretty bad from the year before and I just didn’t do much about it.

“So I basically had a year off last year. It’s good to be back out there.”

Mckeown - the son of popular Mossman businessman Peter – has bounced back brilliantly this year. His versatility has added to the arsenal Brad Cooper is building at the Port Douglas Sporting Complex, with the veteran coach deploying him across half-back, forward and on a wing this season.

“I had a big pre-season this year and it’s really helped a lot,” Mckeown said.

The Crocs take on the fourth-placed Cairns City Lions tomorrow in another huge match for the club as they look to consolidate their position in the AFL Cairns top-two.

The Lions will be fresh after having the bye last round and Mckeown said his coach had steeled them for a fierce contest.

“They’ll be another test for us for sure, they are known to pull out some really good performances so we’ll need to be ready,” he said.

“But we’re happy with how we’re going. The clubs is in a good spot, we have a few of the boys this year in the reserves who are pushing up and should get a run this year which is always a good sign.”

AFL CAIRNS – ROUND 6
Saturday 14 May - 3pm
Cairns City Lions v Port Douglas Crocs
Holloways Beach Sporting Complex

SELECTED TEAMS: