Karratha Kats all class in derby win

Karratha Kats triumphed in the final league Karratha derby match of the 2018 season, defeating local rivals the Falcons by 54 points.

The round 13 match played at Kats’ Millars Well Oval on Friday began quietly as the second-placed Kats dominated the first half.

Falcons, who are fifth on the ladder, looked low on energy as the home team kicked five goals to one in the opening term to lead by 27 points at the first break, and held their opponents goalless in the second quarter to extend that margin to 39 points by half-time.

But the Falcons came alive after scoring their second goal of the game early in the third quarter, sparking a high-scoring and exciting term of football.

As the visitors kicked five goals for the quarter Kats had to rise to the occasion. But their players turned out to have no trouble replying and matched their opponents’ score for the term.

Being a derby, the final term turned physical but as Falcons failed to keep up the pace the Kats were able to increase their lead and comfortably win the game. The final score was 16.14 (110) to 8.8 (56).

Frazer Palmer and Daniel Farmer were the Kat’s top goal kickers with three each, while Falcons forward Sheldon Nelly slotted four home for his side.

The match also marked a 100-game milestone for three of the Kats’ players: Palmer, Todd Kovacevich and Brayden Lee.

Falcons were the winners in the reserves clash earlier in the night.

In an even game, Falcons lagged seven points behind the Kats at half-time and four points at the third-quarter-break but produced a strong last quarter of football to not only catch up but get over the line by 15 points.

The final result was 10.5 (65) to 7.8 (50) to the Falcons.

Joshua Stanley, David Ridell-Robertson and Matthew George were major goal contributors for the winning side.

The result takes the Kats down from first to second on the reserves ladder behind the South Hedland Swans, while the Falcons retain their grip on third spot separated from the Kats only on percentage.