MID-SEASON REVIEW: History beckons for merciless Crocs
AFL CAIRNS
PORT Douglas resumes after a mid-season bye tomorrow against lowly North Cairns in what should be another routine win.
At the halfway mark the Crocs remain undefeated and couldn’t be better placed for a crack at back-to-back flags for the first time in the clubs history.
PRE-SEASON PREDICTION: The Crocs had an interrupted summer and were hampered by a number of injuries leading into the season opener against Cairns Saints. They were expected to start a little slow, but managed to keep the nucleus of their premiership team together. Newsport predicted a finish between 1-3.
WHAT’S WORKED: Everything. The Crocs couldn’t have been more impressive this season and have bulldozed everything in their path. Relentless pressure and devastating ball use has given them an air of invincibility. They’ve also shown a merciless killer instinct evidenced by the number of blowout margins.
WHAT HASN’T: The season ending knee injury to popular Croc Alex Bendle has been the lowlight of an otherwise flawless campaign. Bendle hurt his knee in the round 6 win over Cairns City and won’t return this year.
STANDOUT: There's been a few, but Pete Bury is enjoying another fine season. He’s tough, strong overhead, makes good decisions and can play just about anywhere for coach Brad Cooper. He won the club’s best-and-fairest last year and would be among the leading pack right now, potentially with Sunbury recruit Mathew Medcraft.
MOST IMPROVED: Wingman Brett McKeown has been a consistent performer for the Crocs and is maturing into a solid footballer.
2017 SNAPSHOT:
WINS: 10
LOSSES: 0
DRAWS: 0
LADDER POSITION: 1st
PERCENTAGE: 315.11
THE STORY SO FAR:
R1 W Cairns Saints 27 points
R2 W Centrals Trinity Beach 55 points
R3 W Manunda 32 points
R4 W North Cairns 226 points
R5 BYE
R6 W Cairns City 283 points
R7 W South Cairns 46 points
R8 W Cairns Saints 127 points
R9 W Centrals Trinity Beach 13 points
R10 W Manunda 83 points
R11 W Cairns City 235 points
R12 BYE
THE RUN HOME:
R13 North Cairns (A)
R14 South Cairns (H)
R15 Manunda (H)
R16 Centrals Trinity Beach (A)
R17 Cairns Saints (H)
R18 BYE
R19 North Cairns (H)
R20 Cairns City (A)
R21South Cairns (A)
WILL THEY WIN IT?: Yes. History beckons for Brad Cooper’s Crocs in their quest for back-to-back premierships. Although nothing is guaranteed in football, it will take a mighty effort from the likes of South Cairns or Centrals to stop them holding the cup aloft again.
Will the Crocs go back-to-back? Let us know in the comments below.
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