At three-quarter time Port Douglas coach Brad Cooper spoke to his charges about the importance of running out the game - despite the lopsided scoreline - with finals looming for the flag favourites.

And run out the game they did, posting a cricket score in a 40.20 (260) to 2.1 (13) annihilation of the bottom side.

The well-drilled Crocs outfit completely dominated from the first bounce, with midfielders such as Ben McPhee and Sam Fairclough running riot, and a host of players having a field day such as Jared Petrenko running off the half-back line and Jake Cook asserting his physical presence.

Up forward, Shay Linke posted nine goals and Kye Chapple six as the Hawks had no answers to the avalanche of passes being delivered precisely to strong hands.

After the game, Cooper said one of the focuses of the game was to avoid the team lapsing into any bad habits, with every game from now on set to test the squad. 

“They’re a pretty level-headed group, they understand that it is a big win, but Manunda are a rebuilding club, and we understand that,” Cooper said.

“There’s competition within the team for spots, so I was really pleased that they didn’t go kick chasing too much today, that’s one aspect we spoke about before the game.”

There is one minor round game to play - second-placed South Cairns away from home - before the finals series, which will be played entirely at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns.

“We just want to get healthy and a bit fitter between now and the end of the year and hit the finals with everything we’ve got,” he said.

The team has played one game at Cazalys this year, has had a training run earlier in the year there, and is set to train again there tonight.

“It’s a great ground, and I think the bigger ground will suit us.

“Our running capacity, I think, is good, so we are really excited to get out on it.”

With virtually a full squad pushing for selection, and the reserves also on top, the race for spots is tight.

“The really difficult part, and the hard part about coaching, is when guys have got to miss out, but you can’t have success without having that,” Cooper said.

The Port Douglas Crocs women shook off an early challenge from Manunda Hawks to run away commanding 95-point winners in Saturday’s late game at the Croc Pit.

The score was one goal to none midway through the first quarter before the Crocs put the foot down to register a 16.6 (102) to 1.1 (7) home victory.

Shelby Grinter kicked five goals, while inspirational captain Caity McPhee kicked four.

Port Douglas is guaranteed a finals berth, sitting eight points clear in fourth going into the last round against second-placed South Cairns.