Rovers off the leash

The Port Hedland Rovers built off last week’s win with another strong showing in round two of the North Pilbara Football League on the weekend.

Hosting the Dampier Sharks at Colin Matheson Oval in Cooke Point the Rovers started strongly kicking 4.4 (28) in the first quarter while holding the Sharks to just 1.1 (7).

The second quarter continued in much the same fashion, with Port kicking six goals to the Shark’s two, ending the quarter 10.10 (70) to 3.1 (19).

The Rovers could’ve stopped scoring at half time and still taken home the win, however they didn’t, their accuracy just got better throughout the game, as they kicked eight goals in the second half and asserted their position as a team to be watched in this year’s league.

The game finished Rovers 18.14 (122) to Sharks 7.3 (45) thanks to great accuracy in front of goal from Ashley Thornton, who kicked five goals, Brad Horsman who scored four and Ashley Mulhall who kicked three.

Port Hedland Rovers head coach Troy Melville said he was delighted to start the shortened season strongly.

“Obviously with only the 10-game season each game carries a little bit more weight, so getting off to a good start gives us every opportunity to play finals again,” he said.

“Dampier knocked us out in the semifinal last year so getting one back was great.”

Melville said the Rovers were anticipating a hard-fought game next week when they travel to Karratha to face the Falcons at 6pm on Saturday.

“We’re looking forward to next week — we have plenty of areas to improve on all around the ground so hopefully we can address these and keep improving,” he said.