''REBUILDING'' is a word often thrown out by AFL clubs at this time of the year, but the Port Douglas Crocs are taking things to a new level in 2012.

The club will be without last year’s A-grade coach, club president, A-grade captain and dual Crathern medallist for the coming AFL Cairns competition.

"At least six of our top players from last year won’t be there," new president Andy Smith said.

Smith confirmed at least 12 players from the team that lost last year’s preliminary final would not be returning and another three had not yet committed to the club for the coming season.

Among those players not returning are captain Evan "Buddha" Hocking, Cairns AFL Crathern medallist Daniel Smith, Matt and Craig Shaw, Matty Manns, Daniel Fisher and Sammy Boxall.

Former player Brad Cooper has taken the coaching role from best friend Andy Viola, who stepped down from coaching to focus on his business.

Cooper has not coached division one before but he coached the reserve grade team last season and has been a key part of Viola’s coaching group.

And, while his playing side may lack experience, the same cannot be said for the team’s front office.

Smith is returning for his third stint as president.

He first held the role in Port Douglas’s inaugural season and then filled it again in their 2006 premiership season.

He has bought in another former president, Rob Barnett, as vice-president, another former president, John Cameron, is treasurer, while longtime official Robyn Frahn returns to the secretary position.

Since last October, a "junior brigade" of about 30 players has been training under Jim Buckley’s watchful eye.

Smith said the club had made a commitment to give the juniors the best opportunity to compete in A-grade if they committed to training over the off-season.

"They’ve really improved, it’s been amazing," he said.

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