Cairns City Lions played with a structure that will serve them well in seasons to come, but it was of little consequence against a Port Douglas side that was just too big and strong on Saturday afternoon.
That was the difference as the Crocs overran a sharper-starting Cairns City to win 22.18 (150) to 11.10 (76) at Holloways Beach.
Port used all their brawn to work the Lions over, gradually neutralising their efforts and finishing with a flourish.
Unable to set up their defence quick enough, Port were exposed in the first quarter when the Lions went end-to-end untouched on several occasions.
With no forward pressure to deal with and Adam Gross's (five goals) left boot running hot, it was no surprise the Lions built an early two-goal lead.
But the hulking Braddon Kazakoff got involved. Port caught up with the pace and by half-time, they had a 10-point lead.
In a blink, that was 50 points, and when the returning Sam Boxsell (four goals) booted two in the final quarter, it was as good as over.
For the Lions, ruckman Liam Woodcock-Nolan (three goals) was never far from the ball and kicked truly when the opportunity presented itself.
Last Modified on 23/09/2013 15:39