Crocs maul Lions but still get rev-up
AFL BRAD Cooper has challenged his Port Douglas Crocs to get fitter and rise to the level the club has reached over the past two AFL Cairns seasons.
The undermanned Crocs side did what they had to do against a lacklustre Cairns City Lions at Holloways Beach on Saturday afternoon to bounce back from their first defeat in 26 contests.
While most expected the defending premiers to be in a fierce mood following their unexpected loss last Saturday, they delivered a heavy defeat, 2.5 (17)- 23.18 (156) but nothing like Lions have received over the past year.
Port had seven changes from the side that fell to Cairns Saints last week and played some attractive footy in patches but lacked the killer blow, despite Lions only recording seven scoring shots for the game.
With a handful of firstchoice players nearing their return from injury, Cooper says the pressure will be on his players to keep their places in the side as well as keep pace with Saints at the top of the ladder.
“Injuries are no excuse for what happened against Saints, we did not react the way we should have to their pressure,” Cooper said.
“There are some areas that the players physically need to work on themselves.
“We are not as were last year.
“Eventually we will get a few guys back from injury and then the pressure for spots will be back.”
After serving a club-imposed ban to start the season, premiership player Jesse Mawson put in his best shift for the fit as we IN ACTION: Tobias Fatnowna. season in a dominant display through the middle of the ground.
Skipper Kye Chapple jumped up the goalkicking leaderboard with a bag of 11 goals despite a gallant effort from Joshua Savika.
Savika was miraculous in defence for Lions as Chapple would have neared on 20 majors for the game if the athletic fullback was not right by his side for four quarters.
The hosts defended admirably through Savika and Khyle Ugle but lacked forward options or structure ahead of the ball.
“It was a scratchy game early on but I thought a few of our guys ran into a bit of form and we got some fitness into others,” Cooper said.
“A few guys will get a bit of confidence back, start to rebuild and work on a few things.
“Guys need to start to get the structures right, even though they are new, because when our other guys get back from injury, they will be coming back in.”
Port forward Mitch Bohm is set to miss the rest of the 2018 AFL Cairns season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the loss to Saints last Saturday.
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