Port Douglas Crocs' Reserves have fallen at the last hurdle to lose their first game of the year when the stakes were at their highest.

The Crocs won the toss but opted to kick into the wind in their Grand Final match against Manunda Hawks.  With not a single goal scored at the ten minute mark, the Crocs strategy looked sound, especially when this was followed by the first goal to Crocs forward Jason Wilkie.  

The Hawks responded at the fourteen-minute mark and the Crocs did well to hold their opposition to four goals at quarter time.  
 
The second quarter started badly for the Crocs with the Hawks kicking the first two goals.  Edson dos Reis continued to make good use of his pace to push the Crocs forward.  

Max Petrack, Bryce Willis and Matt Gard lifted and slowed the Hawks' momentum.  Hayden Bogicevic and Ben Herbert tried valiantly to keep the Hawks out but the Crocs forwards found goals hard to come by.  

At the 21 minute-mark things were looking bleak.  Finally Hayden Bogicevic managed to put one through.
 
The second half opened with a goal to the Hawks and things looked even tougher for the Crocs.  When the Hawks scored the next it appeared that the Crocs would be unable to lift. Jimmy Astill's great run down the wing deserved better, but his attempt at goal fell short.  
 
Coach Darren Wall gave his team plenty of encouragement in his three-quarter time address and in the first half of the last quarter the Crocs attacked the play with more system.  

Sam Evans was prominent early and managed a nice goal, followed up by one from Chad Bertram as the Crocs salvaged some pride.  Bryce Willis, Kayne Freyling, Karl Zammataro and Max Petrack lifted and Sam Evans dashed into goal for another.  Lewis Butterss continured to play well but the game was by then out of the Crocs' reach.  
 
It was a bitterly disappointing result for the coach and the boys as the Premiership slipped from their grasp at the last hurdle.   
 
The Crocs will be fielding new look teams in both Seniors and Reserves in season 2012 following the shock announcement by so many players that they will be unavailable.  

Players to depart Port Douglas or retire include::- Captain Evan Buddha Hocking, Cairns AFL Crathern medallist and club best and fairest Daniel Smith, Matt and Craig Shaw, Brad Cooper, Matty Manns, Daniel Fisher and Sammy Boxall.
 
We wish them well in their future endeavours and thank them for their dedication, committment and entertainment value they have provided the Port Douglas Football Club.

RESULTS
Manunda Hawks 11-8-74  defeated Port Douglas 6-9-45.
Best players: Hayden Bogicevic, Edson dos Reis, Ben Herbert, Mitchell Duff, Jack Goodall.
Goal kickers:  Sam Evans 2.  Kerrod Andrews, Chad Bertram, Hayden Bogicevic, Jason Wilkie 

Editor's Comments: Just a quick note to say thanks to Des for his entertaining match reports. His contributions to The Newsport this season have made for great reading and we appreciate his efforts. Good one Des and GO CROCS!