This week's home game against Cairns City lions represents the half way point in the 2015 season and incidentally, you've only got 190 shopping days 'til Christmas.  Where did that first half go??  

From my vantage point we've had a fairly successful first half from a financial viewpoint.  Our home game crowds have been up on previous years and as a result our canteen and bar takings have been quite strong as well.

From a team performance point, I would say that the situation is normal ,with a number of high class performances mixed with some less than impressive displays.  This in no way takes anything away from the efforts of our playing group and coaching staff.  I'm sure Coops and Heff will agree that our desire to do well is as strong, if not stronger than last season. We all know that winning premierships is very difficult but winning them back to back is an enormous task that requires a huge amount of commitment and a fair bit of luck.  

At the end of last season we said a fond farewell to our premiership captain Dylan Wearmouth and questions were raised as to how we replace a leader and a player the quality of Weary.  Well, the answer is "you don't".  You go and find him and bring him back!  After a brief stint in West Australia, Weary is back in town.  His inclusion over the next few weeks will no doubt bolster an already talented midfield and will add a great deal of leadership experience.  The stuff that is needed at a footy club headed towards another finals campaign.

Despite the fact that the league is down a team this year due to the suspension of Manunda Hawks, the competition is at a decade long high. Every team this season looks to have the potential, on any given day, of beating their opponent.  This Saturday's game at the Croc Pit will see us take on a resurgent Cairns City Lions who have been very impressive so far this season.  They'll be wanting to avenge their first round loss at Holloway's Beach and make a claim to be genuine finals contenders.  Every week we have to be on our guard!!

Following Saturday's game we have another fantastic social function known as a Rubic's Cube where we've all got to wear different colored pieces of clothing and over the course of the evening you beg borrow and steal and somehow end up in the one color.  If you don't understand what I'm talking about, that makes two of us!  However I been reliably informed that it is a great night and one not to be missed if you're in town.  Being one of a number of fundraisers for the season it is critically important that we have as many as possible along.  Your support does not go un-noticed. 

While I'm on the topic of fund raising, we instigated a rewards program with one of our generous sponsors Marano's Fuels.  They are offering to club members a very generous discount of four cents per litre of the listed price.  In a sweetener to the club Marano's are offering a percentage of each sale as a cash incentive.  Each month sees this figure back to the club growing but still a fair bit short of the potential revenue raiser we thought it might be.  The importance of this revenue cannot be understated as it is an all year revenue; not just during the footy season.  If you're not using Marano's  ask yourself, why not? If you don't have a membership card, please ask for one.  When purchasing fuel you must present this card to be eligible for the discount and to further help the Crocs.  If you not already know Marano's have a fuel depot across the road from the Croc Pit.

As the season progresses we are going to see a lot more tourists from the southern states, particularly the footy states.  Please don't be afraid to invite them along to our home games and make them feel welcome.  Some might even be game enough to try some of Normie and Rob's tucker on a Thursday night.  If we can offer them a great experience, who knows who they'll tell.

Look forward to seeing you at the Croc pit this Saturday.