IN A scrappy, wind-affected match, the Big River Hawks overcame a plucky Darwin Buffaloes outfit to post a 24-point win when they travelled to the Northern Territory capital on Sunday.
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In oppressive midday heat at TIO Stadium, the teams also had to contend with a strong, dry breeze blowing towards the airport end.
The Katherine boys started well by booting the first two goals of the match and seemingly controlling more than their fair share of the Sherrin.
Momentum quickly shifted, however, and after the boys in brown and yellow spurned several golden chances, Buffaloes kicked two goals of their own to go into the first break trailing the visitors by only two points.
With the breeze at their backs, expectations were high of the boys from the Katherine region in the second quarter and again they started brightly before squandering several certain goals.
The missed chances seemed to spur on the Buffaloes, who rallied and trailed by only 10 points at the main break.
In his half-time address, Hawks coach Andy Bilske emphasised the need for discipline and adherence to structure to maximise the return on the scoreboard.
The team from Darwin had other ideas, however, and turned the third quarter into a real arm wrestle.
As players from both sides started to wilt in the heat, the Buffaloes seemed to respond better and got themselves into the lead before a late burst from the Hawks - including a scrambled, soccered goal by Kurtley Silver - got them back in front just before the last break in play.
With the prospect of kicking with the wind in the final stanza, the mood was upbeat in the Big River huddle.
While there was no avalanche of goals to finish the match, the Buffaloes did not add a single major in the fourth quarter, while the Hawks piled on three.
The win keeps the Big River Hawks undefeated after two rounds ahead of their round three TIO Stadium clash against Waratah Football Club at midday on October 18.
The Hawthorn Football Club, a long-time supporter of the Katherine outfit, is bringing the 2013 and 2014 AFL cups to the match, so fans are urged to make the trip north, get a photo with the silverware and cheer on the Hawks as they attempt to make it three from three.
BIG RIVER HAWKS 10.14 (74) defeated DARWIN BUFFALOES 7.8 (50)
Goal kickers
Hawks: K. Silver, L. Gumbula 3, J. Gardner 2, D. Turner, L. Farrell 1
Buffaloes: A. Mummery 4, L. Raymond Jnr, K. Donation, R. Newall 1
Best players
Hawks: K. Silver, D. Turner, B. Carroll, C. Clyden, S. Farrell
Buffaloes: K. Donation, S. Mole, D. Councillor, A. Mummery, L. Raymond Jnr, J. Hughson
