Port Douglas Crocs coach Andy Viola has hinted that rivals Saints may be in for a few surprises when the two sides meet in a replay of last season’s grand final tomorrow. A host of fresh faces at the Crocs has transformed the side almost unrecognisably from the one that felt defeat at Cazalys in September last year.
Led by a bevy of stars fresh from success with Northern Territory Football League champions Wanderers, the Crocs have started to hit their straps and Viola expected them to bring a whole new challenge to the unbeaten Saints.
“Unless they’ve done their homework, they’ll be in for a surprise,” he said. “Our small brigade at ground level is probably better than what we had last year and last week was probably our best performance of the season.”
He made special mention of 37-year-old Colin “Timmy” Karpany, who he said had taken on the role of mentor with so many new indigenous players in Port’s ranks.
“His footy has gone to another level even though he’s basically won everything already in his long career and the boys are really looking up to him,” Viola said. “He is still one of the quickest in the competition and at full flight he can hit a target.”
Viola also hoped ruckman Joel Lawler would make his return after injury had prevented him from playing a game this season. Saints player-coach James Coatsworth was aware of the task ahead of his troops but wasn’t being sucked into the gravity of the clash.
“The rivalry only really started after we won the final last season,” he said. “Everyone was keen to knock them off because they were undefeated and it just happened to be us. We know we’re going to have to lift, though, we will need to rise to the occasion.”
Courtesy of The Cairns Post.
Last Modified on 13/05/2011 13:14