Sport
5 October, 2023
Crocs into the record books
IN a tightly-fought contest, Port Douglas showed why they have been the power house club, winning their seventh premiership in the last 10 years in the AFL Cairns grand final.
Last Saturday, Cazaly Stadium hosted the 2023 Cairns AFL premiership between Port Douglas and Cairns Saints.
Port Douglas went in as favourites, finishing the season three games clear of the Saints on the ladder.
The game was a tightly fought-out affair with Port Douglas holding sway at every change to eventually run out 34-point winners.
In the first half, there were many highlights, but the game seemed to be in the control of Port Douglas, and the third quarter was when Port showed their class and broke the game open with speed and prized football to open up a lead.
However, with a couple of late goals, the Saints closed the margin.
Port showed why they have been the best team all year when the game opened up in the last quarter and they ran away comfortable 34 point winners.
Former AFL star Jared Petrenko led Port from the front and showed his class with two goals and a best on ground performance to win the Howard Kennedy Medal for best on ground.
Other players who stood out were stalwart Kye Chapple with six goals and was a great target for the Port running midfielders, Liam Brandt, Harvey Moore and Jack Shanahan, who also played big games in the Crocs’ win. Captain Ben Mcphee was full of praise for his team who were challenged but fought hard all day to get the result required.
With a host of South Australian recruits and local players, the Crocs have had a great season and look forward to defending their premiership in 2024.
The Saints played well and had a great season. Best players on the day where Josh Mitchell, Nathan Arbon, Wesley Glass, Hugo Blacker, Connor Kirtley, and Reegan Mrsich.
Crocs: 2.2 4.2 8.5 12.7 (79)
Saints: 1.0 3.6 5.9 6.9 (45)
Hawks Womens open age claimed premiership glory in a gutsy win over Saints.
Hawks: 0.0 3.0 3.0 3.5 (23)
Saints: 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 (16).
Trinity Beach Bulldogs won the reserve grade premiership over South Cairns Cutters.
Bulldogs: 2.3 4.5 6.12 7.13 (55)
Cutters: 4.0 4.6 4.6 4.7 (31).
