Port Douglas Crocs welcomed South Cairns to the Croc Pit on Saturday for their first home game of the season.  Conditions were ideal for football - cool, with a gentle breeze.
 
The Crocs hit their straps early and from the outset displayed a determination which suggested the team wished to atone for their first-up loss last week. 

Kicking with a slight wind advantage, the Crocs chalked up the first four goals.  The forward line was working far more effectively with Ben McCartney featuring. 

Newcomer Skip Gribbon's aerial work was astonishing.  To complete a scintillating first quarter of football by the Crocs, Skip pulled off the Mark of the Century, leaping into the air, twisting around his opponent to grab an amazing chest mark.  He wrapped it all up by kicking a fine goal.  Adelaide's loss is the Crocs gain. 

Spectators had witnessed a brilliant quarter of total team effort.  Scoreboard Port 7-2-44, Sth Cairns 1-2-8. 
 
The second quarter started well for the Crocs.  Skip Gribbon at it again - over to Brad Lawlor - goal. The Croc's mosquito fleet were running their opponents off their legs.  Rowan Hanley, Kurt Bradshaw, Mark Nuggin and Kurt Cadman made sure that the football was repeatedly pushed into the Crocs forward fifty.
 
Mitch Nicholson led a much tighter bunch of defenders who kept repelling any opposition forward efforts.  Accurate, nicely weighted foot passing continually gave Crocs team mates first use of the ball. 

The wind picked up in the third quarter marring the spectacle some-what, but again it was the Crocs who adjusted better.  Goals continued to come from the excellent team effort. 

It was hard to pick individual good players with so many contributors doing their bit. Julius Smith was winning well in the ruck and Patrick Godsell was doing fine things on the forward line.  Kurt Cadman and Dylan Wearmouth, the son of ex-Collingwood champion Ronnie Wearmouth, continued to show out.  As the difference in the scores widened, the steam went out of the game.
 
The last quarter was played at a more leisurely pace as the members of both teams became fatigued.
 
Crocs supporters had certainly been treated to a wonderful day's football.  Congratulations!

Final score: Port Douglas Crocs 22.11 (143) d South Cairns 8.11 (59)

Goal Kickers:  S. Gribbon 6, P. Glodsell 4,  K. Brown 3,  D. Harris 2,  B. McCartney 2,  K. Bradshaw 2,  J. Smith, K. Andrews,  B. Lawlor.
 
Best: S. Gribbon, K. Bradshaw, R. Hanley, P. Godsell, D. Wearmouth, J. Smith, Mitch Nicholson.
 
Reserves

The Crocs Reserves had set the tone for the day by recording their second win of the season under somewhat difficult circumstances. 

An undermanned Crocs team battled valiantly against a better equipped South Cairns team.  It wasn't until the third quarter that the Crocs were able to gain the ascendancy. 

Full marks are due to them for clawing their way back into the game.  With Luke Bloom taking control of the mid-field the Crocs finished full of running to seal victory by thirteen points.  Great effort!

Final Score: 9-12-66 def. South Cairns 8-5-53.
Best: S. Cole, L. Bloom, J. Stewart, K. Zammataro, S. Evans.

Next week the Crocs journey to Griffith Park to take on ladder leader Saints.  Should be a great game. Try to be there.

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