Dampier Sharks defeat Kats in instant classic, become back-to-back North Pilbara Football League premiers

Dampier Sharks are back-to-back North Pilbara Football League Premiers after outlasting a gutsy Karratha Kats to snatch the lead with just minutes left in the final quarter. The action-packed game took place at Windy Ridge Oval in Dampier, which lived up to its name, on September 10 with Kats taking it to an uncharacteristically scrappy and sloppy Sharks. Kats took the lead early in the term before a late goal by Dampier meant the reigning premiers trailed by just six points at quarter-time. The second term saw the Sharks kick with the wind and make the most of the advantage, kicking 3.3 to 2.0 to take the lead at the main break. A defiant Kats would not back down and stunned the Sharks in the third term to wrestle back momentum and lead by 11 points at the final break. Momentum continued to swing in the last quarter with Sharks battling to regain the lead and defend their crown. Trailing by four points with just minutes to go, Dampier rallied and were able to keep the ball in their attacking 50 to have multiple shots on goal. Pressure mounted on the reigning premiers but five consecutive behinds proved enough to snatch the lead with just two minutes to go. In the end, Dampier Sharks defeated Karratha Kats 7.10 (52) to 8.3 (51). Onlookers flooded the oval as the final siren sounded, with Dampier supporters surrounding their champions while Kats’ were left stunned after enduring another painful grand final loss. Kats’ Nathan Bravington took home the Pratt Medal for best on ground. Sharks coach Steven Dodd said he was proud of his boys and happy for the Dampier community. “They get behind us all the time and just show their support for us,” he said. Dodd said he was confident his team would be able to get it done in the final quarter. “We knew if we could get the ball in the forward line as many times as we can create a few chances. Obviously we did make a little bit hard for ourselves but you only have to win by one point at the end of the day and we managed to do that,” he said. “Our football over the last couple of years has been up there and as good as any, so we knew we had it in us. Speaking during presentations Kats captain Ben Main said it was an unbelievable game. “I don’t thinks there’s too much more we could have done. Just unfortunate someone has to lose that one,” he said. “To our boys and the Kats family, sorry we couldn’t do it for you.” Dampier Sharks, who have lost just one game in the last two seasons, will now turn their eyes on securing a hat-trick as the side aims to become a dynasty. “The challenge for the group is to set the bar even higher and try and go again and win three in a row,’ Dodd said.