Cairns Saints have secured a qualifying final berth with Manunda in a ruthless execution of an out-of-sorts Port Douglas Crocs on Saturday.
The Crocs were blown away in a nine goal third term by the three-time defending champions, with the 24.13 (157) to 13.7 (85) victory only tempered by injuries to experienced pair and good mates James Coatsworth and Mark Kennedy.
Both were helped off in an eventful third quarter in separate incidents, with Coatsworth nursing sore ribs and Kennedy booked in for scans today to determine the extent of the damage to his knee.
There were also a series of scuffles as a lop-sided penalty count tested the nerve of the Crocs. While Daniel Smith, Timmy Karpany and Campbell Wurramarba were busy in the engine room for Port, there was little resistance later in the game as Brenton Powell, Jesse Dixon and Alex Macqueen dominated for Saints.
Macqueen continued his fine run of form in the forward line, rebounding from some early wayward kicking to boot seven majors. He also set up a few for his teammates and provided a constant option for the midfield.
That trio offset the loss of Coatsworth, Kennedy and Matt Walsh, who is out for the season with a fractured foot.
Goals were mostly traded in a first half that featured some big tackles from Port enforcer Kane Uebergang and some equally sharp work from the Saints midfield. Saints started getting on top in the third term, with Port’s undermanned bench starting to feel the pinch. Three of their rotational players were unable to play their roles after a virus left them sick on the sidelines after one quarter of footy.
But when Kennedy clutched at his knee and Coatsworth copped an accidental knock in the back soon after it looked like Port may find a way. It only fired up Saints more, though, as goals to David O’Toole and a huge bomb from outside the arc shortly after delighted the solid crowd at Griffiths Park.
Courtesy of The Cairns Post.
Last Modified on 29/08/2011 11:02