By Des Rolfe

Manunda Hawks caused an astonishing boilover in their battle with the Port Douglas Crocs in their battle at Cazalys on Saturday.

The extremely youthful group which had been put on the field by the Hawks were expected to be no match for the more experienced Crocs combination, but to their credit the Hawks stuck to their task all day and in the last quarter ran the Crocs off their legs to notch their first win of the season.

Stunned Crocs coaches and players have been left with a great deal to think about if they are to be truly competitive come finals time.  

AFL football is the world's greatest game but it is also one of the most complex.

In order to win matches week in and week out the team must consistently attend to the important things such as manning up, talking, shepherding a team mate and avoiding turn overs like the plague.

Most important of all - each player must shut out complacency.  

The game opened at a frantic pace with the Crocs mid-field dominant, forcing the ball into their forward 50 more frequently but finding scoring difficult.

Alex Bendle, Tom Clough, Michael Klein-Boonschate, Dylan Wearmouth and Daniel Cross were all prominent early, but the Hawks matched the Crocs efforts and for the entire game neither team was able to force a break-away and slam on goals.  

As the match progressed the Hawks' pace and energy became telling factors.

Both teams defences were on top all day but the Hawks mid-fielders started to show more run and created space for themselves to effect a loose man offence.  

The game went goal for goal for the Crocs.

Jimmy Mueller in the ruck was his usual" Jumping Jack Flash" and Tom Clough had the crowd roaring when he hauled in his contender for Mark of the Year.

The Crocs Were kept under pressure and forced to play short with a lot of handball and short passing going astray.

Kaine Freyling and Scott Roberts were defending grimly and Damien Wiliams, Adam Boone, Zak Stephenson and Brad Lawlor kept up their possession count as Paul Worthington brought up his second goal.  

It was not until the 22nd minute mark of the final quarter that the Hawks got their nose in front and their fresher legs enabled them to hold on.

The Crocs Reserves enjoyed a much better day and kept their unbeaten record intact.

In a scrappy, scrambling opening Port Douglas managed the first goal through Tony Gooding .  Brett McKeown was defending effectively and players started to link up well.  Nathan Evans to Ash Davidson to Liam Edwards was indicative of the Crocs players dominance over their opponents.  Dylan Peirce was making a great impression - physically strong around the packs and playing an excellent team game.  Andrew "Bucket" MacLeod made the mid-field his own and did as he liked; pin-point accurate passing, making space and drawing his team mates into the play.  In a relatively low scoring match Tristan Berry, Matt Chizzoniti and Tim Thomson were giving their all and going as hard at the finish as they had at the start.  Ethan McCullough did an excellent pick-up and snapped a great goal.  Felix Dunn bobbed up with 3 goals and Jordan Corbett, Sean Ladds and Patrick Molan were far too good for their opposite numbers.  It was another sterling team effort .  

Results

Seniors

Hawks 11.5-71 def. Crocs 9.12-66

Goal kickers.  T. Clough 2.  P. Worthington 2.  D. Cross.  A. Boone.  K. Freyling.  D. Wearmouth.  D. Prater.

Best:  S. Roberts.  J. Mueller.  K. Freyling.  B. Lawlor.  P. Worthington.  

Reserves

Hawks  3.3.21 were def. by Crocs 13.8-86

Goal s.   A. MacLeod 3.  F. Dunn 3.  E. McCullough 2.  J. Lowe 2.  T. Gooding..  J. Corbett.  J. Dalton.  T. Thomson.

Best.  A. MacLeod.  J. Corbett.  S. Ladds.  P. Molan.  D. Peirce.  N. Evans

No game next week.  Next game is Saturday 14th June.  Crocs are away to Cairns City Lions.  Reserves 1pm.  Seniors 3pm.

Go Crocs!