The Port Douglas Crocs will kick off their campaign for a fifth consecutive premiership today as the delayed AFL Cairns season finally kicks off.

The Crocs will play their first game of 2020 against the Cairns City Lions at Holloway's Beach this afternoon.

Both the seniors and the reserves teams will hit the field full of new recruits along with plenty of favourites from last year.

There had been early concerns that the Crocs may not have had the numbers for two teams when lockdown disrupted the recruitment process for the club, which relies heavily on players from interstate, with a number forced to head back home when the pandemic hit.

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However, Crocs President, Barry Lea, said they will certainly have the numbers thanks to many southern leagues cancelling their seasons forcing an influx of players north.

“We’re going to be really good for numbers this year,” he said.

“I think it will exceed expectations.

“We have some great top-end payers and some great reserves who love footy and want to get out on the field. And they will be complemented by our locals and talented youth.”

And they will need it, with Mr Lea expecting the comp to be highly competitive this year with many Cairns teams also experiencing the influx of southern players.

However, some of the recruits are yet to join the team and will miss today’s game while they wait out their mandatory quarantine periods in hotels, after arriving in Queensland before a full Victorian lockout which came into effect on Friday.

Mr Lea said the club is complying with all COVID-safe rules currently in place.

“We should have our full array of players by round three which will be our first home game at the croc pit on 25 May,” he said.

Mr Lea added he is pleased with the team’s form after an unusual start with many players undergoing two preseasons thanks to the season delay.

“They are now primed and ready to go.”

Footy fans are encouraged to get behind the club by purchasing a Crocs membership, now available via the Crocs Facebook page or at the clubrooms on Thursdays from 5:00pm.