PORT Douglas has moved a game clear in second position after a dominant 43-point win over Centrals Trinity Beach.

The Crocs jumped the Bulldogs at the Port Douglas Sporting Complex with another strong opening quarter and were never headed, their midfield running rampant in front of a large crowd for Pink in the Tropics Day.

The home side’s pressure at the contest was hot from the opening bounce, while their protection of the ball carrier allowed running players Brett McKeown, Peter Bury and Ashley Davidson to run riot.

Port Douglas skipper Kye Chapple was again a force inside 50 with another six goals, while Jonathan Hobbs, Declan Kelly and Hayden Graham were pivotal in the 16.9 (105) to 9.8 (62) win.

“We didn’t really know what to expect from them coming into the game as they’re a bit unpredictable,” Chapple said of Centrals Trinity Beach.

“They won the pre-season competition and had started the season pretty well, so it was good to get the job done.”

Chapple, in his second season with the Crocs after moving from Horsham last year, said he was pleased to be sitting 4-1 after five rounds.

The exciting forward has made a blistering start to the AFL Cairns season on a personal level, leading the league’s goal kicking table with 21.

“I’ve been kicking a few goals but need to improve my marking,” he said.

“I’ve let a few balls slip that I would normally take, so I’ll keep working hard on that and we’ll keep trying to improve as a team.

“After the first couple of games Coops (coach Brad Cooper) drilled into us a few things we needed to work on, and in the last two weeks we’ve been able to implement it.

“He’s been great and everyone is responding well to the way we want to play.”

AFL CAIRNS - ROUND 5:

Port Douglas Crocs     5.2 10.5 15.6  16.9 (105)
Centrals Trinity Beach 2.4 5.5 6.8 9.8 (62)

Port Douglas Crocs:
Goals: Chapple 6, Macleod 3, Jacks 2, Davidson 2, Bury, Mayne, Graham
Best: Hobbs, McKeown, Bury, Davidson, Kelly, Chapple, Graham