Saints will finish second on the AFL Cairns ladder after prevailing against rivals Port Douglas on a blustery Saturday at Griffiths Park.
Port were left to rue some errant early kicking, surrendering a first quarter lead that should have been even greater to eventually lose 11.12 (78) to 7.10 (52).
It ended the Crocs' seven game winning streak that included wins at home against Saints and away against South Cairns.
Missing key pair Matt Walsh and Jesse Dixon, Saints scrambled hard with a makeshift forward line but in the strong breeze were unable to capitalise in front of goal early on.
But neither could Port, who finished the first quarter with only two goals and six behinds to show for their territorial dominance.
Port's Damian Williams and Saint Tim Lamprill coped best, both finishing with three majors. The wayward kicking was in start contrast to the earlier reserves game, which ended in a cliffhanging 12.3 (75) to 12.3 (75) tie.
"You've got to take your chances," Port coach Brad Cooper said. "They kicked well late and I thought they won the game more than we lost it. But it was a scrappy game."
The result leaves Port in third and facing a sudden death semi-final with fourth-placed North Cairns in a fortnight.
Saints will play minor premiers Souths in the other semi-final with the winner earning a week off and a berth in the decider.
"North Cairns have been playing good footy and as good as they were, Saints will only get better," Cooper said.
Last Modified on 21/01/2015 14:24