PORT Douglas coach Brad Cooper says his side is ‘not playing good footy’ despite their unbeaten start to the AFL Cairns season.

The Crocs have enjoyed a 3-0 opening but have been hampered by injuries and unavailability in the early rounds. Captain Kye Chapple, who returns for tomorrow’s clash with North Cairns, has played just one match while a host of others have also missed.

Cooper said he was hoping to get to the bye rounds with another four points before pushing the ‘reset’ button.

“We’re not playing good footy by any stretch,” he said.

“We have a lot of new guys in the team and they are just learning the way we go about things. It will take some time.

“We definitely expect to improve as the year goes on.”

The Crocs will have a fortnight off after the Tigers clash due to the Easter break followed by the club's bye. Cooper said it could’t have come at a better time.

“The break will be really important for us. We’ve been struggling with injuries and unavailability and it has really stretched us,” he said.

“We just need to make sure we come away with another good win tomorrow and then we’ll reset after the bye.

“North Cairns have for some quality players on their list so we will need to be switched on.”

The Tigers are coming off an impressive 83-point win over Cairns City Lions and currently sit in fourth spot.

AFL CAIRNS - ROUND 4:
Saturday 8 April, 3pm
North Cairns v Port Douglas
Watsons Oval, Cairns

SELECTED TEAMS:

 
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

* Readers are encouraged to use their full details below to ensure comment legitimacy. Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport or its staff. Comments containing unlawful, obscene, defamatory or abusive material will not be published.