They remain unbeaten in 2010, but AFL Cairns ladder leaders Port Douglas had but their closest brush with defeat when they hosted Cairns Saints in the tour hosted Cairns Saints in the tourist paradise on Saturday.
The Crocs won 16.13-109 to 13.8-86, overcoming a side many believe to be their biggest obstacle to winning this year’s premiership.
Crocs coach Andy Viola said Saturday’s contest was the tough examination his team needed three weeks from the finals.
“It was good, grounding experience for our guys,” he said.
“They know now they’re going to have to keep putting in week in and week out and doing all the right things if they want to keep winning games of footy.”
The Crocs looked to be laying the foundation for another shellacking when they jumped to a five goal lead in the first quarter before Saints reminded everyone who the reigning premiers were.
Saints lifted their intensity noticeably when play restarted and 30 minutes later went into the major break trailing by only five points.
But like they have all year, the Crocs responded when Viola asked for improvement and by the final change of ends had won back the lead.
Viola praised his leadership group, which included the likes of Even Hocking, Luke Bloom and Matt and Craig Shaw, for the contributions they made when the game was in the balance.
“They got the bit between their teeth and led the way for the young fellas,” Viola said.
In Saturdays other match, the Manunda Hawks moved into third on the ladder scoring a comfortable 29.13-187 to 13.9-87 victory over South Cairns at Cazalys.
The winless Souths were well in the game at halftime and only trailed by 4 goals before Hawks found their run in the last two quarters.
Veteran forward Fred Pittorino booted nine goals for the Hawks, while Gavin Miller chipped in with five.
Mick Markham was named Souths best on ground.
Last Modified on 27/10/2010 13:00