The Crocs have been the sporting pulse of Port Douglas for the last 25 years and that will be celebrated when the players and supporters who helped create that history gather for the side's clash with Cairns City Lions tomorrow.
One constant in that time has been inaugural president Andy Smith, who was literally putting the finishing touches together ahead of the weekend's party.
"There are 200 pics and stories up on the walls at the clubhouse and it's amazing to think you can relate to all of them somehow," he said while decorating the Port Douglas Sporting Complex yesterday.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be president today and the club would still exist and be what it is."
He said the town had embraced the club since day dot, to the point where the Port Douglas Gazette devoted eight pages of coverage to the anniversary in Thursday's paper.
"I can't remember anything ever getting that much support. It's a good inidcation of how it is up here. You can't walk around the streets without someone wanting to stop and talk footy with you," he said.
At least 40 past players have made the trip north, many of who will play in a Port Douglas Legends v Cairns Masters game to kick off proceedings at 1pm.
Players' on and off field performance will be judged and the best will be awarded the Ernie Baxter Medal, in honour of the late club legend.
"He's been honoured a fair bit since his death but he deserves all of it," Smith said.
The reserves game at 3pm is followed by a 5pm seniors feature and then the party.
"There is going to be a lot of fun had and a lot of stories told," Smith said.
"The thing about the club is that you make so many friends and it's basically our family's life now."
Smith addressed his current playing group on Tuesday night to ram home the importance of the occassion. "The guys are pumped. They're treating it like a grand final," he said.
"They know the guys watching them were once just like them, young blokes who moved north and are representing the city."
Coincidentally it was Cairns City who the Crocs played in their first game and it was City who they beat to win their first premiership.
Smith hopes for a repeat but above all just wants to enjoy the night. "We aren't playing for sheep stations. Hopefully we can all enjoy a beer after the footy," he said.
Last Modified on 31/07/2013 15:53