NPFL grand final rematch set after Karratha Kats down Wickham Wolves in preliminary final

Karratha Kats are through to the big dance after securing a come-from-behind victory against Wickham Wolves in the North Pilbara Football League preliminary final.

The Wolves got off to a fast start at Millars Well Oval on September 3, with a four-goal opening term in the do-or-die final to hold an 11-point lead at quartertime.

Both sides wrestled for the momentum in the second term and the Kats were able to claw back the deficit to trail by just three points at the main break on the back of a five-goal quarter.

The gruelling game continued after the break, with Kats snatching the lead after kicking 5.2 to the Wolves’ 3.3 in the third term.

Neither side gave an inch as the game moved into the final minutes but the Karratha Kats were able to show their class and take a seven-point victory 14.8 (92) to 13.7 (85).

Kats had seven individual goal scorers in their winning effort, with Nelson White as the top scorer with three.

Wickham’s Tom Higgins continued his purple patch of form with another six-goal haul, while his teammate Tyson Nicholas booted four goals.

The victory means Kats will face off against reigning premiers Dampier Sharks at Windy Ridge Oval on September 10.

Dampier have lost just one game in the past two seasons and defeated Kats 10.10 (70) to 5.8 (38) in last year’s finale.

It marks the Kats’ fifth straight grand final appearance in the NPFL.

In the reserves, South Hedland Swans stunned Karratha Kats with a seven-goal final term and will battle Dampier Sharks in the grand final.

Swans trailed at every break and went into the final term 18 points in arrears, trailing 5.3 to 2.3.

The South Hedland side refused to break, blasting away the Kats in a dominant final term to snatch the lead and run away with the victory.

In the end, Swans defeated Karratha Kats 9.4 (58) to 6.3 (39).