PORT Douglas skipper Kye Chapple says tomorrow’s grand final replay against South Cairns Cutters has come at the perfect time.

The Crocs obliterated an undermanned Cairns City Lions on Saturday after a two-week break, and the gun spearhead said his team was ready to square off against stronger opposition.

The Cutters and Port have developed a fierce rivalry on the back of recent September encounters including last year’s 24-point grand final triumph by the Crocs.

“I think they’re pretty keen to have a crack at us and we’re feeling exactly the same way,” Chapple said.

“All the boys are ready for a tough game against a good quality side so we’re all looking forward to it.”

Chapple said selectors had a hard time picking the side for tomorrow’s clash such was the growing strength of the club’s list.

Darwin recruit Josh Wilson will get another look at the top echelon of the AFL Cairns competition at Fretwell Park tomorrow. The athletic 197cm ruckman arrived from NTFL club Wanderers and played his first match against Centrals Trinity Beach in tough conditions at the Croc Pit.

“It will be good to see him run around against a quality side and we’re glad to have him,” Chapple said.

“He’s only played the one game which was pretty tough for him, he’d basically just got off a plane and didn’t know any of the boys.

“We’ve got a very strong side in this week, it was tough at selection which is a good sign for the club.”

The Cutters, who sit behind Port Douglas in second place, are coming off a convincing 79-point win over Cairns Saints. They beat the Crocs twice last year including an impressive semi-final performance at Cazaly’s Stadium.

The only downside of Port’s 282-point punishing of the Lions was the potentially season ending knee injury to Alex Bendle. The popular Croc will have an MRI scan on Tuesday to determine the extent of the damage.

“Alex had to wait for the swelling to go down a bit before he could get the scans,” Chapple said.

“He was hobbling around at training last night, we’ll just hope for good news next week.”


AFL CAIRNS - ROUND 7
Saturday 6 May, 3pm
South Cairns v Port Douglas
Fretwell Park, Cairns.


SELECTED TEAMS:

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