A goalscoring record was very much secondary to winning as Matt Walsh kicked second-placed Saints to a 18.7 (115) to 16.14 (101) victory over third-placed Port Douglas at Griffiths Park on Saturday.
The prolific forward set a new record in the fourth quarter when he kicked his 132nd goal of the season but celebrations were delayed until he scored the go-ahead goal in the dying moments of the game.
"When I broke the record we were behind and we knew we had some unfinished business," he said.
"So the celebration didn't really come until I kicked my last goal because we hadn't had the lead in the final quarter and there wasn't long left."
Walsh finished the day with nine goals and a season tally of 134, three more than the mark he set last season.
Co-coach Brenton Powell said that no one in the team realised Walsh had broken the record until they were in the sheds after the game.
"It was such a tight game and we were behind, so we didn't really notice," he said.
Crocs took the lead late in the match and appeared to be on their way to victory before Walsh bagged five in the action packed final quarter.
Captain Craig Ferrier labelled his teammate a "freak" but said Saints were more than a one-man army.
"I'm glad I'm playing with him and not against him," Ferrier said after the match.
"But we've come up with a game plan that doesn't just revolve around Walshy because he does get a lot of attention (from opposition defenders)."
Ferrier said Saints were relishing their new role as the "hunter" and not the "hunted" after entering the finals as the top team last season.
This year North Cairns have that honour and they showed why with a 31.19 (205) to 7.5 (47) win over Centrals Trinity Beach at Watsons Oval.
"The pressure's not on us (in that regard) this year, which is a relief," Ferrier said.
In the other match, seven goals to Daniel Lock put an end to Manunda's finals hopes as South Cairns locked down fourth spot on the table.
The Cutters got away to an early lead and held on to win 15.21 (111) to 15.11 (101).
Last Modified on 04/10/2013 10:35