Palmerston Crocs are eyeing a strong season of Darwin A-grade rugby union ahead of Round 1

PALMERSTON Crocs captain Kendall Quakawoot feels his side is ready for a big campaign in the Darwin A-grade rugby union competition after a tough pre-season.

Palmerston Crocs captain Kendall Quakawoot wants a big season from his squad. Picture: CHE CHORLEY

PALMERSTON Crocs captain Kendall Quakawoot feels his side is ready for a big campaign in the Darwin A-grade rugby union competition after a tough pre-season.

A big couple of months on the track has seen the Crocs back into the cycle of things just eight weeks following the close of the last season.

Heat and wet weather will play a big role the outcome of this season but Quakawoot feels that his side is fit and ready to take on the conditions.

MORE NT SPORT NEWS

Darwin Dragons eye three-peat as rugby union wet season competition approaches

The NT News looks at the main talking points from Round 3 of the 2020-21 NTFL season

Freddy Webb backs Ansett’s depth against potent Ellas Titans

“Everyone is coping pretty well. We got into training pretty early on and numbers have come in as well,” Quakawoot told the NT News.

“The coaches have been smashing us in training making us work particularly around our structures so hopefully come the first game we will all be ready to go and able to be competitive.”

The Crocs struggled for consistency finishing bottom of the table without a win but they did show promise many a time.

Centres Jay Franklin and Jimi Harris put in pivotal defensive shifts for the Crocs earlier in 2020, while the return of a half such as Baden Ford will add direction.

Up front Karl Reiher was a strong, consistent presence for a Palmerston side which suffered for numbers in the latter half of the season.

First up is South Darwin, which also suffered in the second half of last season despite a stronger showing early on, on Saturday.

Both sides will be eager to prove themselves early on and set an early marker for the season ahead.

“It’s all about momentum from the get go so we want to come out and get a win straight up to get the ball rolling from the start,” Quakawoot said.

“Last (season) was disappointing for us but the aim this year is to get into finals and succeed. “Obviously the aim is to get some silverware and for us it’s up to the boys to put in the work to get there.

LIMITED TIME: New NT News subscription offer: $1 a week for the first 12 weeks

“If we can be a competitive side week in week out then we will be happy with where we end up as long as we leave it all on the field.”