by Des Rolfe

The eagerly anticipated return match between these two top class teams opened at a cracking pace.  Both Port Douglas Crocs and Cairns Saints strove mightily to gain the early psychological advantage.  

It was tough in close, body contact ruled, hard ball gets were earned.  The Crocs' Daniel Smith kicked the first goal, followed immediately with a great goal sneaking effort by Campbell Wurramarrba.  

Mid-fielders Kane Uebergang and Scott Roberts were doing well.  Matt and Craig Shaw were showing brotherly love - combining well for the good of the team.  Great ruck work by Brennan Beale and Matthew Gard gave the Crocs first use of the ball.  

The extraordinary comittment being shown by the Crocs left the Saints shell-shocked as the Crocs piled on six goals to one.  The quality of play, its sheer intensity was worth ten times the price of admission.  
 
Andy Viola's quarter time address was congratulatory, mentioning good spoiling by Jimmy Astill.  The coach stressed the need for top level communication.  

In the second quarter the Saints kicked the first two goals, but the whole Crocs team continued to maintain pressure and play well.  The Saints team discipline appeared to decline as a fracas ensued and the umpires took the coloured cards out of their pockets.  

Daniel Smith's play was now outstanding.  T.K.'s in close play was great as he was doing the little things that cause game changing outcomes.  
 
In the second half the Saints re-grouped and started to come back.  The ball was flying from end-to-end but the Saints kicked three unanswered goals.  

Coach Andy Viola's three-quarter time address was delivered in a very loud voice. "We"ve strangled them all day and now you release them in just ten minutes of footy.  Let's get back to man-on-man hard footy.  No cheap footy, no easy footy."  
 
Early in the last quarter the Saints appeared to revive and pressed hard.  Fortunately Smithy got one back for the Crocs into the wind and he continued to present well as he had all day.  

Matt Shaw's man-on-man body work paid off handsomely with ten goals.  A happy time ahead for Matt in after-match celebrations!  Ben McCartney would be well-satisfied with his day being far too good for his opponent.  

Talking to one Crocs player after the game he said "For the first time this season we did not have a weakness".  
 
In The Reserves the match was all even at half-time, but in the second half the flood gates opened.  The Crocs stormed in front with seven goals.  Kaine Freyling booted two ripper long goals.  

It was great to see Jordan Butterss give up the round ball game and return to the world's greatest sport. Nice tidying up by Ben Herbert across half-back and another great win by our boys on our march to the finals.  
 
Crocs have the bye next week.  Let's all go cheer for Richmond. Go Tiges!
 
Results:
Port Douglas 23-17-155 def. Saints 12-7-79
 
Goal kickers:  Matt Shaw 10.  Daniel Smith 5.  Campbell Wurramarrba 3.  Kane Uebergang 2.
 
Best Players: Ben McCartney, Matt Shaw, Craig Shaw, Daniel Smith, Kane Uebergang, Timmy Karpeny, Ryan Worn.
 
Reserves:
Port douglas  11-10-76 def Saints 8-3-51.
 
Goal kickers: Jason Wilkie 3.  Kaine Freyling 2.  Kain Scarano 2.
 
Best players: Bryce Willis, Edson Dos Reis, Zak O'Gorman, Tony Gooding, Andy Seaholme, Ben Herbert.
 
GO CROCS!