Port Douglas notched their sixth consecutive victory on Saturday, but their stunted run towards finals has frustrated the coach and left them searching for rhythm ahead of the most important time of the year.
The Crocs have not lost since their horrow show against Manunda on May 31, but they have not had back-to-back games since July 5.
A 13.16 (94) to 10.12 (72) win keeps them in touch with Cairns Saints - their battle in two weeks could decide who finishes second and third - but coach Brad Cooper was hardly satisfied with what he saw.
"We didn't really turn up and we didn't handle their pressure very well at all," he said.
"The Lions played a good brand of footy, moved the ball well and because of their pressure we didn't really take our chances."
Cooper pointed to their lack of matches as a possible explanation for their tardiness.
"We've played one game in the last month and it's tough when you haven't played much footy," he said.
The Crocs still started the better of the two sides, but failed to put the Lions away in a 6.7 opening quarter.
"And in my estimation at least four or five (of the seven behinds) were very gettable," Cooper said.
Adam Boone finished with four goals and was one of the Crocs' best.
Last Modified on 21/01/2015 14:27