Port Douglas Crocs 2013 Premiership hopes came to a crashing end at Cazalys on Saturday, after a 64-point loss to North Cairns Tigers.

The Port Douglas boys went into the match quietly confident that they could take the game right up to the Tigers, particularly after their strong showing against Cutters the previous week. It was not to be.

The Crocs started the match well, entering their forward-50 more frequently than their opponents in the first term. Ben Saunders was particularly prominent and with Mick McKeown, Kaza and Ben Young all scoring goals the scores were level at the first break.

The second term was a heartbreaker for the Crocs. President Andy Smith and his committee, along with the loyal band of supporters, witnessed a punishing effort by the Tigers. The Crocs were kept goalless for the quarter, whilst the Tigers clocked up eight. The Tigers out-ran, out-muscled and out-teamed the hapless Crocs. Try as he might, Coach Coops could not pull a rabbit out of the hat to reverse the flow of play. At the long break, the Crocs were nine goals behind. 

To their credit, the Crocs performed valiantly in the third. With players such as Brett McKeown, Dylan Wearmouth and Daniel Cross doing much better, the Crocs outscored their opponents 4 goals to 2.  

Unfortunately, there was to be no fairy-tale ending. The Tigers regrouped and finished the game at full speed, with the story on the scoreboard an accurate reflection of the game. The Crocs' scoring attempts were always on the end of very strong pressure from the Tigers, and all too frequently for Port Douglas, the Tigers ran into an open goal and kicked accurately.

For the Crocs to finish third on the ladder, in a season in which so many of their players were working out of town and thus forcing frequent and numerous roster changes, was an outstanding effort. 

Next Saturday, the Crocs Reserves will face off against the Saints in their division's Grand Final. The game starts at 1pm.

Congratulations to Kaine Freyling who made his 100th appearance for the club last week. 

And a big congratulations to our epic six foot nine ruckman, Lukas Teasedale, who has hung up his boots after many years at the club. Well done Teaser, you’ve brought a wealth of experience back with you this year after a couple of years away, and although the 2005 premiership is your highlight, I think everyone around the club will remember you as a fantastic clubman and all-round great guy.

Tigers 21-8-134 def. Crocs 9-16-70
 
Best: B. McKeown.  M. McKeown.  D, Wearmouth. D. Cross.  S. Boxsell. B. Saunders
 
Goals: M. McKeown 2.   B. Kazakoff 2.   H. Spring.  C. Shaw.  B. Young.  S. Boxsell.  M. Nuggin