They hit the lead for the first time in the entire game with just a few minutes to go, but the Port Douglas Crocs could not hold on against Cairns North Tigers, eventually going down by seven points.

They certainly had their chances, with the ball bobbling around in the goal square several times in the dying stages, and pressure situations in the forward line going frustratingly the Tigers’ way.

The team can thank the backline for keeping it in the contest in the first half, with countless forward forays repelled.

But, to their credit, the Crocs players hung tough, and gradually pegged back the skillful Tigers outfit to work their way on top after half time.

The game opened up on the wide-open spaces of Port Douglas oval in the third quarter, and the midfield worked its way on top, led by the hard-running Sam Fairclough and new recruit Murphy Short.

But every time the Crocs posted a goal, the zippy Tigers forwards responded, with a two-goal buffer maintained for most of the match.

You could not fault the Crocs’ effort after half time, with the team constantly pressing forward in search of a win.

But coach Nick Salter was not happy with the performance, saying they started too slowly in a lacklustre first half.

Salter said the team showed a “bit of fight” in the second half, but was “ordinary” in the first.

“Too few blokes doing too much,” Salter said.

“You can’t just rock up and have a win.”

He said he was not too stressed about losing the first two games of the year, with up to eight players to come back and match fitness improving, but he wanted to get on the board this week against Centrals Bulldogs, with the match to be played on Anzac Day (Friday, April 25) from 4pm.

Best players for the Crocs were Ethan McCullough, Joshua Lea, Daniel Davidson, Tom Kluske, Murphy Short and Sam Fairclough, while Jacob Zboril kicked four goals and Kye Chapple kicked three.

The score was 13.7 (85) to the Tigers, to 11.12 (78) for the Crocs.