Never-say-die Swans toil hard to pip Kats

The South Hedland Swans stunned last year’s grand finalists to score an upset win over the Karratha Kats in an attritional game off football.

Kats took the lead early at Millars Well Oval, holding a two-point lead at the first break with both sides kicking two goals.

A strong second term from the Kats built their lead but the Swans were able to hang tight to trail by just seven points at the main break.

Swans began to shine after half-time, snatching the lead and forcing the Kats onto their back foot during the scrappy contest.

Kicking 3.1 in the term to the Kats’ 0.3, Swans held a nine-point lead going into the final quarter.

The nailbiter of a contest resumed with Kats able to briefly steal the lead in the dying minutes before Swans bit back with a late goal to seal the victor by just eight points.

The final scoreline was South Hedland Swans 9.5 (59) defeated Karratha Kats 7.9 (51).

Swans coach Joe Ewan said it was great to get the win away and get his first win as coach.

“It was fantastic, a really solid effort from the boys,” he said.

“It was a really hard game of footy.

“The boys stepped up, stuck to the game plan and it worked out.”

Ewan said it meant a lot to get a win against the Kats.

“They’re a formidable side and to beat them at their home ground is fantastic,” he said.

Ewan said he was proud of his team’s four-quarter effort. “They didn’t give up, we said at half-time, stick to the game plan you have 40 minutes of footy left, all we have to do is focus and regroup,” he said.

“To the boys’ credit, they did.”

It was a different story in the reserves, with Kats showing their class to overwhelm the Swans.

Kats led all game, cruising to a dominant victory 7.9 (51) to 3.6 (24).