The Port Douglas Crocs had a heartbreaking four-point loss to Trinity Bulldogs in a thrilling home Qualifying Final on Sunday, snapping a 13-game winning streak for the top side.

But all is not lost, with the Crocs set to face North Cairns Tigers in the Preliminary Final at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns from 5pm on Saturday for the right to take on the Bulldogs in the Grand Final.

Last Sunday’s match turned out to be one of those days for Port Douglas after the team had to kick into a strong breeze in the first quarter, going into the first break 16 points down.

Trinity was nailing chances in front of goal, while the Crocs finished the first quarter with four points.

The second quarter started better, but a couple of late goals had the Bulldogs leading by 10 points at half time.

Ill discipline was not helping the normally well-drilled outfit, which gave away four 50m penalties throughout the day, resulting in three goals.

The overall free-kick count also appeared to favour Trinity, leading to frustrations spilling over at times.

The third quarter was another exasperating one for the Crocs players, who found the ball enough but could not get much fluent play going.

But, in the final stanza, Port Douglas threw everything at Trinity and came excruciatingly close to pulling off a win after defender Harvey Moore drifted forward and kicked an inspirational goal to bring the Crocs within less than a kick with plenty of time left on the clock.

But the Bulldogs repelled wave after wave of attacks to celebrate in fine style when the siren finally went after the 33-minute mark of the quarter.

Best players were Jai Nanscawen, Brett Mckeown, Zayne Moore, Harvey Moore, Joshua Lea and Ben Mcphee, while Ryan Warfe kicked two goals.

The final score was 12.7 (79) to 10.15 (75).

The Port Douglas Crocs women’s team pulled off a stirring five-point boilover in the Elimination Final against Cairns City Lions on Friday night.

A strong third quarter had the Crocs leading by 11 points in a low-scoring affair, with the team holding off the Lions in the final term despite not scoring at all.

The final score was 3.2 (20) to 2.3 (15).

Best for Port Douglas were Caity Walsh, Kayla McInerney, Luca Roulstone, Jaimi Byrne, Grace Lanigan and Hannah Hyland, while McInerney kicked two goals.

The Crocs play Trinity Bulldogs in the Preliminary Final at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Saturday from 12.30pm.