PORT Douglas overcame wet and sticky conditions on Saturday to record a 55-point win over Centrals Trinity Beach.

Brad Cooper was unavailable to coach from the sidelines as the Crocs unfurled last year’s premiership flag, but his stand in replacement had no problems keeping the train rolling along.

Veteran defender Wes Glass took the reigns for the afternoon and showed his leadership qualities not only with the magnet board, but through his dominance down back as the Crocs made it two-from-two.

“Coaching in general is hard let alone playing and coaching,” Port Douglas star Todd Shapter said after the match.

“He said just to stick to the structures, we knew we had the legs in us. It was a muddy, crappy day and a hard fought game of footy.

“I think he did a really good job.”

In hot, humid and heavy conditions the Crocs managed to overpower the Bulldogs despite some resistance in the second and third quarters. Jack Goodwin Ethan Riddington and Hugh Nicholson lifted for the Bulldogs to help them stay within striking distance at half time, this visitors kicking four goals after the first break.

Gideon Simon got the all-important opening goal of the third term to close the margin to eight-points, and when Ricky Lyness booted his second at the 16 minute mark the Bulldogs, suddenly, were in front.

Sensing the threat, Cairns City Lions recruit Adam Gross quickly regained the lead for the Crocs, and less than two minutes later he slammed on his third for the afternoon to help re-establish an eight-point buffer.

It was the beginning of a nine-goal unanswered run for the reigning premier who broke clear in typically commanding fashion, and it was a few new faces that made an impact.

Gross showed he could be one to watch with a best-on-ground performance, while Cole Laurie and Sunbury’s Matt Medcraft (three goals) were lively in tough conditions.

“It was a shocking day for footy really, but we got the job done so that’s the main thing,” Shapter said.

“I thought a couple of the new blokes we got to the club (played well). Cole Laurie, he’s got a beautiful raking left boot, Matty Medcraft looks pretty dangerous up forward and Adam Gross killed it as well.

“I think he snagged four goals today, he probably created a few opportunities with his forward pressure as well.”


AFL CAIRNS - ROUND 2
Port Douglas  2.6    6.7    12.10     16.14 (110)
Central          0.4    4.5    7.7-49     8.7 (55)

PORT DOUGLAS
Goals: A. Gross 4, M. Medcraft 3, L. Fanning 2, K. Chapple, P. Bury, B. McKeown, K. Bradshaw, J. Mawson, T. Shapter, M. Bohm
Best: A. Gross, C. Laurie, G. Jacks, B. McKeown, S. Scally, W. Glass

CENTRALS
Goals: R. Lyness 3, J. Williams 2, J. Campbell, A. O''Sughrue, G. Simon
Best: J. Goodwin, E. Riddington, H. Nicholson, J. Williams, C. Adam, K. Goodman

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