Port Douglas coach Andy Viola always knew his players had talent and now he knows they have the determination to match after their four-point victory against Cairns Saints in Saturday's grand final rematch at Griffiths Park.
The Crocs looked certain to succumb to the defending AFL Cairns premiers when they trailed by two points with only minutes left, but a grubbering goal to Campbell Wurramarrba saw the visitors pinch the game 18.8 (116) to 17.10 (112). Viola said the victory was a result of perseverance more than anything.
"Just the fighting spirit and the never-say-die attitude was great to see. It could've gone either way there," he said. "The way the guys rallied and came back into it at the back end showed a lot of guts.’’
Running with a strong breeze at their backs, the Crocs blitzed the home team in the opening term to lead by seven goals. The margin ballooned to more than 50 points early in the second quarter before Saints found a pathway to the posts.
It was Breton Powell who led the way. Lurking in the forward line, Powell booted three majors in a short space of time to haul his team back into the contest.
After a Viola spray that measured a solid 7.5 on the Richter Scale at halftime, the Crocs came out from the break determined to regain control of the contest. On-baller and 2010 Crathern Medallist Daniel Smith was outstanding for the Crocs, as was Relton Roberts, who booted a contender for goal of the year when he beat two opponents with sleight of hand before finishing from an acute angle.
Read more at http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/05/16/164105_local-sport-news.html
Courtesy of The Cairns Post.
Last Modified on 20/05/2011 09:18