They have not played for three weeks, but somehow the Port Douglas Crocs' injury crisis has worsened.
Coach Brad Cooper knew it was too good to be true when they notched their third straight win last month.
And those fears were realised when booming left-footer Ben McCartney severed a tendon in his hand at work, adding him to Cooper’s burgeoning long-term injury list.
McCartney – one of the local success stories at the Crocs – is the fourth player this season to be struck down after being given a leadership role.
Cooper acknowledged that the "captain’s curse" was starting to wear thin.
"No one will want the gig anymore," he said.
"Don’t even get me started. I’ve coached for a fair while and never seen so many injuries.
"Ben’s been playing some really good footy lately too; it’s a bit of a blow for sure."
Tomorrow marks 21 days since their last game and Cooper said his team was excited to return to the field despite their injury-plagued interim.
They face North Cairns, who comfortably sit second and have beaten the Crocs in both contests this season.
"They are quality; a good mix of experience and some quick young blokes," Cooper said.
One of those young blokes is 17-year-old Isaac Rokeby, who kicked 10 goals in North’s last win against the Lions.
"He was another one to put his hand up for them last week," Cooper said.
"They are all full of confidence at the moment.
"The only way to counter that is to give them a bit of their own medicine.
"We won’t be clogging their forward line with
players.
"I want to teach our young blokes how to play properly and how to win games of footy."
After beating the Lions, Centrals and Manunda, a win to Port at home tomorrow could put them within one good result of the top four.
"I wouldn’t coach if we didn’t go into every game trying to win," Cooper said.
"I think the boys are pretty keen to get out there and have a good crack."