Sport
12 September, 2025
Crocs under the pump
A HUGE first week of finals delivered thrillers in all four games, including one with extra time, where you could argue that each of the four winners were the underdogs in their respective clashes.
It means there are two massive preliminary finals this Saturday at Cazalys, involving both minor premiers making use of their second chances.
To get things underway, there is the women’s second preliminary final, with Dogs playing the finals first timers, the Crocs.
The Dogs went down in an absolute thriller against the Tigers, with extra time causing mass confusion and unbelievably keeping the AFLW Saints and Hawks in the race, absolutely transfixed and their warm-ups delayed.
The Dogs will be looking to straighten up their goal kicking, 2.7 was ultimately too inaccurate even in incredibly windy conditions.
The belief will be high that they can bounce straight back and set-up a Tigers rematch.
Their opponents come to Cazalys with absolutely nothing to lose and on the back of the biggest win in their short history, a huge upset to knock out the reigning premiers.
That will have the Crocs believing they can continue the fairy tale into at least another week, but will undoubtably have to top last week’s effort, as harsh as that sounds.
The form this year has the Dogs as clear favourites. They lead the season 3-0 at a total score of 124-33.
In the men’s, the Tigers and Crocs see themselves in the second prelim after being on opposite ends of big upsets last weekend.
The Tigers make it to a third consecutive prelim after one of the great wins in their club’s history.
With six bona fide first graders out of the team, and a number who played hobbled, they overcame a 23-point margin at half-time to win by 17 and get some payback for their grand final defeat last year.
Their reward is an even tougher clash, with an even more banged up side, as they try to make consecutive grand finals and win a first flag since 1988.
They will need to overcome a revved-up Port Douglas outfit, who you know will be absolutely smarting at their first loss since ANZAC Day.
That’s why they have the double chance and the idea of a straight sets exit won’t be discussed at training this week.
What will be discussed is their blistering third quarter against the Tigers the last time these sides met, just two weeks ago.
The Crocs know their best is the best of the comp, as they have showed all season and will be desperate to get back to the last weekend of the season.
This game bounces off at 5.30pm to conclude a bumper penultimate round of the season.
Final scores:
Men’s - Crocs 75, Bulldogs 79. Tigers 82, South Cutters 65.
Women’s - Lions 15, Crocs 20. Bulldogs 19, Tigers 25.
