Michael Warren

Journalist

Mossman have once again shown they’ll take a stack of beating come finals time after overcoming Innisfail 38-16 tonight at Coronation Park.

Needing a win to remain atop of the CDRL ladder the Sharks led 8-6 midway through the first half before eventually powering away to secure another impressive victory.

For Mossman Stanley Anau scored three tries and Aggie Gibuma a double, while Budhagi Gibuma and David Elia also crossed the stripe.

Pateresio Vota, Simione Taga and Cedrick Valentine scored tries for Innisfail.

Meantime, Port Douglas overturned a 21-point third quarter deficit to storm home and beat Centrals Trinity Bulldogs13-12-90 to 10-12-72 this afternoon at the showgrounds.

Trailing 69-56 heading into the fourth quarter of their round 18 AFL Cairns clash two straight goals to Brandon Kilty and Kye Chapple saw Port narrow the margin to just 70-68.

When Ed Morris kicked Port’s third for the term the Crocs led for the first time since the opening quarter.
From there, they continued to win more contests right across the ground, thus starving the Bulldogs of any real attacking momentum as the contest reached its final stages.

Further goals to Brett McKeown and Bill Lovel right on fulltime time sealed a gritty 18-point win for Brad Cooper’s men, ahead of next week’s blockbuster clash against Cairns City Lions.

Ethan McCullough did a stellar job in the ruck to contain Zac Smith, while Liam Brandt, Chris Colombo, Daniel Davidson and Brandon Kilty (four goals) were equally impressive.

Port’s ninth win moves them to 36 points, a win behind third placed Centrals.