Venturing into the Tigers' den at Watsons Oval on Saturday provided the Crocs with the opportunity to find out where the team stood against the power side of the moment.
 
The Tigers started the game better, their forwards were too strong for their Crocs opponents and brushed them aside.  Fortunately for the Crocs, the home team kicked inaccurately for goal. A terrific long kick from Adam Boone kept the Crocs in contention.
 
It did Crocs supporters' hearts good to see Andrew "Bucket" MacLeod split the centre pack and sprint forward to boot a lovely goal, and at quarter time just one goal separated the teams.  Coach Brad Cooper in his quarter time address stressed the need to man-up and be accountable.
 
In the second quarter the Crocs kicked into the wind.  Tom Bowring wove a little magic but missed his shot on goal. Dylan Wearmouth was playing very well in the mid-field and Scotty Roberts was using his evasive skills to telling effect, but the forwards were being well held.  

Ben Young survived a ferocious physical attack and goaled. The Crocs, through sheer guts were hanging in there. Braddon Kazakoff took a nice mark and goaled.  Liam Dunne's lovely pass to Adam Boone was an agonizing miss.  Dylan Wearmouth got a hard earned 50 metre penalty and goaled.
 
In his half-time address coach "Coops" reminded his players that the voice is as important a skill in football as the handball or kick.  In a team game talk is essential.  He told his boys they must be even harder at the contest.
 
The second half opened with a sixty metre spiral torpedo by Daniel Sharpe from the centre square but it was touched on the line.  Ripper kick.  Scott Roberts popped through a goal to sustain some belief that the Crocs could pinch a win.  

They were playing attacking football but kicking for goal inaccurately.  Ben Young scored a great goal and brought the game alive but in the finish it was not to be.  The Crocs were unable to bridge the gap.
 
The Crocs had all the early play in the last quarter but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard. Adam Boone continued to play a great Captain's game, Craig Shaw popped through a nice goal.  Liam Dunne and Mark Nuggin were tireless around the packs and slogged the game out to the end.
 
Not the result the Crocs had hoped for, but there were plenty of indications that this team can enjoy a great season.

North Cairns Tigers 16.19-115 def. Port Douglas Crocs 10-11-71  
Best players: D. Wearmouth. A. Boone. K. Bradshaw. J. Backway. B. McCartney. M. Nuggin
Goal Kickers: C. Shaw 2, B. Young 2, B. Kazakoff , D. Sharp , D. Wearmouth , D. Cross , A. Boone , A. MacLeod.
 
RESERVES
 
In the Reserves match a very good Tigers' combination appeared to have the Crocs' boys measure with better positional play and crisp ball handling.  The Crocs found scoring extremely difficult and with the scoreboard at three quarter time showing a 10 goal deficit there was heaps of work to be done.
 
Unfortunately, the Crocs were unable to stem the tide and stick with their opponents.  A great long kick from Max Petrack found his target in Harry Wilkie.  Harry's shot missed but he immediately rebounded and snapped a nice left footer. 

Corey Barter hauled in a terrific mark and scored a top goal.  It was great to see that the Crocs had no intention of giving up.

North Cairns Tigers  16-10-106 def. Port Douglas Crocs 4-7-31.
Goal Kickers: J. Wilkie 3, C. Barter
Best Players: C. Barter, C. Bertram, K. Andrews, J. Caswell, C. Nandy

Next Saturday the Crocs are at home to Cairns City Lions, Reserves 1pm. Seniors 3pm.  The boys need your support, so please come along and support the team.