The Crocs returned to the winner's list with a convincing victory over Cairns City Lions at the Croc Pit on Saturday.  

The standard of play was extremely good given the difficulty of contending with the swirling wind.  The opening quarter was an absorbing contest with both teams evenly matched.  Early on the Crocs were unable to take full advantage of kicking with the strong wind.
 
Jackson Brown kicked a delightful opening goal and the Crocs were away.  Teamwork suddenly clicked with the mid-fielders pushing the ball into the forward 50.  Tom Bowring goaled from a 50 metre penalty, Craig Shaw kicked the first of his 10 goal haul for the day, Andrew "Bucket" MacLeod chipped in with one and Adam Boone was on the end of a smart piece of play by Gavin Jacks for another.

With Lukas Teasdale out injured, Braddon Kazakoff was a very successful replacement in the ruck.
 
In the second quarter the Crocs continued to apply extreme pressure on the Lions and defied the strong wind to keep scoring goals.  Jackson Brown had an accurate shot from the boundary, then great evasive work by Kurt Bradshaw resulted in a nice pass to Mark Nuggin and a goal.  Tom Bowring booted a great long goal. Alex Bendle was in absolutely everything.
 
The wind built in intensity in the second half but neither team allowed their concentration to lapse.  The Crocs were now well in the ascendancy with winners all over the ground.  Craig Shaw was using his height to advantage. In his 101st Senior appearance for the club, Ben McCartney was putting in his usual bullocking performance.  Dylan Wearmouth was bobbing up everywhere and teaming brilliantly to keep the pressure on.  Captain Adam Boone was putting in a non-stop effort.  

The Crocs had so many players winning in their positions it was hard to individualise.  The ball was constantly being swept into the Crocs' forward zone with long, accurate kicking.  Overhead marking was a big improvement on their last outing.   Confidence was sky high and the score board kept spinning like a Las Vegas jackpot machine.
 
A great exhibition of football by our boys!

Crocs 30-11-191 def. Lions 8-5-53.
     
Goal Kickers: C. Shaw 10, T. Bowring 4, A. Macleod 3, J. Brown 3, M. Nuggin 2, A. Boone 2, D. Cross 2, B. Kazakoff 2, M. McKeown , K. Bradshaw
Best Players: M. Nuggin, B. Kazakoff, A. Bendle, A. Boone, C. Shaw, A. Macleod
 
RESERVES

In the Reserves contest the teams were evenly matched, and at three-quarter time there was only a four goal difference in the score line with the Crocs in front.  

Chasely Nandy grabbed some great marks and found the goals and Jason "Harry" Wilkie kept bobbing up and adding to his tally of majors.  It was pleasing to see Mitch Nicholson out on the paddock for his first match after a long spell through injury.     

The Crocs thoroughly deserved their win, with great contributions from Kerrod Andrews. Corey Barter, Chad Bertram and Will Ratcliffe.  Matthew Gard again rucked well and booted some long bombs.
 
The Crocs' next game is at Fretwell Park against South Cairns Cutters.  Both Crocs teams have started the season extremely well.  Let’s get along to the game and help keep up the momentum.
 
Crocs 14-15-99 def. Lions 6-1-37.
 
Goal kickers: J. Wilkie 6.  C. Nandy 4.  J. Caswell.  M. Nicholson.  
Best: M. Gard.  C. Nandy.  C. Bertram.  C. Barter.  W. Ratcliffe.  J. Wilkie.