'It’s so good for the town': Club lauds Port’s fighting spirit

AFL CAIRNS | GRAND FINAL



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PORT Douglas coach Brad Cooper and president Chris Bradsworth have credited the town’s fighting spirit as the catalyst for the club’s historic back-to-back premiership.

In what was a dream afternoon for the Crocs, the reserves team got off the canvas to win by a point in double extra time, while the seniors - challenged for one of the few times this year by the Hawks - responded to run away with brilliant grand final win.

“It’s just so good for the town,” Cooper said.

“It’s good for the players obviously, but it’s a credit to our town and the wonderful volunteers we have at our football club.

“I’m just so rapt that the seconds were able to get up, in an epic game, and for everyone involved, the entire club.”

Bradsworth, in his first year as president, said the two flags yesterday were a credit to the ‘hard working people of Port Douglas’.

“I’m just so proud of the club,” he said.

“The people that I have around me in Port Douglas, it’s just sensational. You ask something of someone at this club, and they do it. And we’re talking about volunteers.

“What happened in both grades here today, and in the seconds when they’ve willed themselves over the line, that just shows who we are.

“The seniors got challenged, and it was really good to be challenged. To be able to show some grit, I couldn’t be prouder as a president in my first year.”

In the reserves, Port Douglas star Gavin Jacks kicked a goal after the siren to draw the game against South Cairns and send it to extra time.

It was a pulsating finish to a game that literally had everything, but there was more drama to come.

Unbelievably, nothing could separate the two clubs at the end of the added 10 minutes, and in frantic scenes, the Crocs hung on to to win a remarkable game in the dying seconds of the second extra time - with the ball deep inside the Cutters forward line when the siren sounded.

The Port Douglas reserves celebrate a thrilling grand final win over South Cairns, which went into double extra time. IMAGE: Brett Pascoe Photography.

“With the reserves, I just can’t talk highly enough about how much grit and integrity they’ve got,” Bradsworth said.

“They just willed and carried each other over the line, it’s just fantastic.”

Cooper said he could now ‘take a breath’ and try and reflect on his side’s perfect 20-0 AFL Cairns season.

“I guess we can all sit back now and try and take it all in,” he said.

Players celebrate on the premiership dias. IMAGE: Clinton Barter - Newsport.

“We’ve gone through undefeated, and there are not a lot of sides that do it. Having said that, it’s come about from sheer hard work.”

Bradsworth agreed.

“It’s going to take a while for everything to sink in, as to what we’ve achieved as a club this year,” the president said.

“There is a hell of a lot of work that goes in behind the scenes, but I tell you what, it makes it all worthwhile on day’s like today.” 


IMAGES BY CLINTON BARTER:

Euphoric scenes as Port Douglas celebrates it's back-to-back triumph at Cazalys Stadium. IMAGE: Clinton Barter - Newsport.


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