Falcons soar to end hoodoo

The Karratha Falcons stunned the Rovers and scored their first win in Port Hedland in six years on Saturday.

Rovers got off to a fast start at Colin Matheson Oval, before Falcons were able to take the lead on the back of accurate kicking, scoring 3.1 to lead by five points at the first break.

A scrappy second term saw both sides have their moments, but Rovers showed why they have been one of the top teams this season, snatching the lead and kicking 3.2 to the Falcons’ 2.1.

Coming out after the break the back-and-forth action continued, with both sides kicking one goal for Rovers to lead by just two points going into the final term.

With victory on the line, the Falcons soared over the Rovers, making the most of their inside-50s to boot 3.1, snaring the win by nine points in a major upset.

The final score was Karratha Falcons 9.5 (59) to Port Hedland Rovers 7.8 (50).

The win saw Falcons edge closer to the top four, now only one win behind Port Hedland Rovers as we move into the second half of the season.

Shea Armstrong kicked two goals for the Falcons, while Ashley Thornton and Kyle Coppin booted two each for the Rovers.

Karratha Falcons coach Craig Baker said to get a win on the road was a credit to the club.

“The game could have gone either way at three-quarter-time, and we dug deep, we stuck to the things we have been working on, and the boys finished a strong, disciplined last quarter,” he said.

“It’s been six years since the Falcons have had a win on the road in Port Hedland — it’s always a tough game against them, so this is really important to the club.”

Meanwhile in the reserves, a clinical second half saw the home side prove too strong for the Falcons. The Falcons rallied after a slow first quarter to lead by two points at half-time, but Rovers came out firing in the second half and controlled the rest of the game, running out the winners 6.5 (41) to 4.5 (29).