Dogged resistance can’t stop Croc attack
THE new crop of Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs now understand the level they need to reach to compete in September.
Like a lot of AFL Cairns clubs do, the Bulldogs went with reigning premiers Port Douglas for two and a bit quarters before the damaging Crocs kicked away to secure their second victory of the season.
The Bulldogs, under new coach Mick Seymour and with as many as 10 fresh faces from the side that lost the 2016 preliminary final to the Crocs, led early in the third term before the Crocs put their foot down.
The visiting Dogs kicked the first three goals after halftime but that lead was quickly gobbled up.
With premiership stars Jesse Mawson and Kye Chapple back, the Crocs slammed on the final six goals of the premiership term to break the game open.
A 16.14-110 – 8.7-55 victory to the Crocs at Port Douglas Sporting Complex seems like an easy day for last year’s premiers but Seymour took a lot from the Round 2 contest.
“I thought we matched them for two and a half quarters but, a quality side like they are, they responded,” Seymour said. “We could not go with them after they put a few goals on. We are really new as a group and we really need to gel as a side a bit more.
“I think knowing when to respond, knowing when to run with a side or looking to shut down a side, we did not do that quickly enough.”
Former Cairns City Lion Adam Gross starred in his first game in Crocs colours, booting four goals, while Victorian Mathew Medcraft kicked three.
Seymour was pleased with key defender Ethan Riddington, who kept the dangerous Chapple to just one goal in his return from injury.
Jack Goodwin, Hugh Nicholson and South Australian Jackson Williams were also influential for the Dogs in their first loss of the campaign.
The Bulldogs host Cairns Saints in Round 3 while the Crocs travel to take on Manunda at Cazalys Stadium.