IT'S DONE! Chapple inspired Crocs seal the deal
FINALS FOOTBALL
A HOLLYWOOD screenwriter couldn't have written a better script.
Port Douglas Captain Kye Chapple not only returned to play despite a medial ligament injury, but dominated the AFL Cairns grand final with seven goals.
He was awarded the Howard Kennedy Medal for best-on ground for his scintillating performance that was the catalyst for the Crocs second premiership in three years.
When the game was there to be won in the first and last quarters, Chapple proved the difference.
His final quarter heroics will go down in Port Douglas Crocs folklore, booting four goals to ensure his team broke clear of a brave South Cairns outfit.
He put any doubts around his knee to rest early in the match with three opening quarter goals with the Crocs going into the first change with a seven-point advantage.
The match started in frenetic fashion befitting the two best teams in the competition. Crocs coach Brad Cooper stressed before the game it was important for his team to start well and they did just that. Reliable midfielder Dylan Wearmouth got busy, while Chapple looked a man hell-bent on righting the wrongs of a quiet semi final performance.
The contest only got better in the second term with the sides exchanging blows, with Wearmouth, Alex Bendle, Zach Gubbins and Todd Shaper particularly impressive. Little separated the teams at the main change with the Crocs heading in with a slender four-point advantage at 8.6 to 8.2.
The game got tight in the all-important premiership quarter with both sides adding just the two goals, setting up a grandstand finish in front of a vocal crowd at Cazalys Stadium.
The last quarter started with the Crocs winning the clearance battle despite the absence of ruckman Paul Lewis. The talented Jesse Mawson (four goals) was proving his worth with some electric moments in attack while Jordan Chapman, Josh Lea and Pete Bury were enormous.
Chapple booted back-to-back goals to give the Crocs some breathing room, and when consistent defender Wes Glass snuck forward to goal at the 16-minute mark, the Crocs looked home. He got on the end of some clever play from Chapman and Mawson, his goal bringing the Port Douglas faithful to their feet.
The Cutters, however, refused to lie down, and when Jake Roach kicked his second goal from a tight angle, the margin was still a gettable 17 points at the 21-minute mark. But a monster clearance from Shapter forced the ball forward and it was Chapple who sealed the deal. He took a strong grab and kicked his seventh at the 23-minute mark, giving his side a 23-point lead that would not be reeled in.
It was fitting that Wearmouth, a standout all afternoon, kicked a goal on the final siren to send his team into raptures.
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AFL CAIRNS GRAND FINAL:
Port Douglas 5.2 8.6 10.8 17.13 (115)
South Cairns 4.1 8.2 10.5 14.7-91
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PORT DOUGLAS
Goals: K. Chapple 7, J. Mawson 4, A. Macleod 2, D. Wearmouth, W. Glass, A. Bendle, D. Young
Best: D. Wearmouth, K. Chapple, A. Bendle, J. Mawson, Z. Gubbins, T. Shapter
SOUTH CAIRNS
Goals: J.Dixon 5, M. Douglas 4, J. Roach 2, R. Mawdsley, C. Campbell, C. Allen
Best Players: J. Wardle, M. Douglas, J. Roach, Z. Ewer, R. Etherington, T. Keilar
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Gallery
Images: Brett Pascoe
