Dream start at stake
Saints a big threat to Crocs’ unbeaten run: Petrenko
The Jared Petrenko era could not have started any better at Port Douglas, but the Crocs coach has flagged several important areas to address ahead of their heavyweight AFL Cairns clash with Saints.
Port Douglas is undefeated after four games in the AFL Cairns seniors competition, and has started its first campaign without six-time premiership winner Brad Cooper in charge with four wins from as many games.
Some scores might give the impression it was easy, such as last week’s 89-point thumping of defending premiers Cairns City Lions at Holloways Beach Sporting Complex.
But the former Adelaide Crow, who played 76 games during his AFL career, said it was anything but as the Crocs adapted to his playing style.
“I couldn't have dreamt of this start,” Petrenko said.
“I think the past two weeks we’ve really put the way I want us to play into four quarters.
“We came home strong in those first two weeks but we’re finally playing the way we want to through the whole game.”
What has been most pleasing is the pressure in defence, which Petrenko said he saw for the first time in the big second-round win against Manunda, when they restricted the Hawks to just four points in the entire second half of the game as Port Douglas added seven goals down the other end in the same time.
“The second half of that game our defensive pressure really ramped up,” he said.
“We know that our attack will look after itself, but if we can focus on defending we will be a better side.
“Since that second half against Manunda, it’s really ramped up. We didn’t quite get it right against Norths (in round one) and they exposed us a little bit.”
What awaits the high-flying Crocs in the annual Pink in the Tropics clash at Port Douglas Sporting Complex is a Saints side now overflowing with confidence after an enormous win against the Hawks.
Saints are unbeaten in their first three games, with a second-round bye the only reason why they aren’t occupying top spot on the ladder.
And they enter a showdown between the two undefeated teams on the back of an enormous 201-point thrashing of Manunda at Griffiths Park.
A review of the game’s scoring shows former Croc and 2019 Matthew Walsh Medal winner Adam Gross kicked 12 goals, while Cade Wellington had eight majors, in the 31goal drubbing.
It has Saints’ forward line on point and firing.
Coach Wes Glass and his troops know this weekend’s challenge won’t quite be as one-sided, but Petrenko is still wary of the goalkicking potential this Saints side boasts.
“No matter who you play, you still have to go out there and do it; you have to show up,” Petrenko said.
“Seeing that score – I know haven’t seen anything like that for a very long time.
“They have some really handy players in there, and their attacking style is hard to defend against because they switch it up a bit. It makes it hard to match up.”
South Cairns Cutters will host a smarting Lions outfit on a two-game slide as they chase their first win of the season at Fretwell Park.
Manunda will host CTB Bulldogs as it searches for a breakthrough win.