Crocs snap back into action for big season opener

AFL

Karlie Brady

Journalist

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Souths Cameron Campbell, Captain and Port's Kurt Bradshaw, leadership group ahead of the 2021 season opener. Image: Richard Nichol RAWI

The reigning AFL Cairns premiers, the Port Douglas Crocs will return to the field for the first bounce down of the season this weekend as they vie for an unprecedented sixth consecutive flag in 2021.

Both the Senior and Reserves teams will travel to Fretwell Park in Cairns on Saturday to take on the South Cairns Cutters. The Reserves kick-off at 12:30pm followed by the Seniors at 2:30pm.

There will also be two big millstones for the Crocs in round one with Wayne Pavitt playing his 350th game and Ethan McCullough playing his 100th.

Crocs President, Chris Bradsworth, said following a huge recruitment drive the club is ready heading into round one.

“We will be taking on old-time foes of ours in Souths and it will give us a good indication of where we are for the year,” he said.

The Crocs will field two teams tomorrow but are actively still recruiting players following a huge turnover since last season. After COVID cancelled many southern league’s seasons in 2020, Port Douglas saw an influx of new players move north, many of which have now returned home, leaving the club to re-build.

The Crocs during a final training session before the season begins on April 10. Image: Chris Bradsworth.

“In a small town like this we do rely a lot on recruitment, and we have had a big turn over recently.

“However, we do have plenty of our premiership players in our senior team still, a lot of locals and many who have been recruited in the past and have turned into locals.”

Mr Bradsworth said with so many vacant jobs in town at the moment, it’s the perfect time for interested recruits to make the move and the club will help find them jobs.

“We will be recruiting right up until the cut off of June 30,” he said.

Mr Bradsworth added the club is also looking for people to join the team off the field.

“We are looking for trainers. We will pay for them to do a first aid and training course if needed.

“We are also looking for water carries and any volunteers who want to be involved in a community club.”

And for those who can't make it to the match, you don’t have to miss a minute with every game of the AFL Cairns competition set to be streamed live in 2021 through a new streaming platform Cluch.

The deal includes all three home and away games each week along with all finals both live and on-demand on a dedicated AFL Cairns Channel on Cluch TV.

The deal also includes a full statistical game analysis of every match being completed by TOPPA Sports.

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