Determined Koboni claim city AFL title

By ROBSON AKIS
A SPIRITED Koboni took revenge on Dockers with a hard-fought 5.10 (40) to 3.6 (24) win to atone for last year’s Port Moresby Esiloan AFL grand final loss infront of a packed Colts Oval on Saturday.
The Dockers went into the match with 2-0 advantage, having beaten Koboni twice during the season and had booked an early grand final berth after knocking off the minor premiers West Eagles two weeks ago.
Koboni, on the other hand made, a mid-season surge from fifth spot, beating Bomana Cats, Gordon Kokofas and Eagles to make the final.
Koboni looked to be the fitter side and Dockers found themselves behind the pace.
Earlier in the day the Dockers women and their reserve grade teams won their respective finals against the Kokofas and Cats and were aiming for a clean-sweep before the Demons spoilt the party.
Koboni showed their intent attacking from the get-go with Nason Benjamin, Beron Kengi, Brendan Beno and Hapeo Bobogi combining well to find Alphonse Jambarufo in the half-forward line to notch their first goal.
Herald Kali and Douglas Lai Jr had the other opportunities to push Koboni ahead but their kicks went astray before the Dockers finally broke through towards the end of the quarter for a major from Ferdinand Musi and a behind from Emmanuel Tupia.
The Demons led 1.3 (9) to 1.1 (7) at first interval. The Demons kept the lead 2.6 (18) to 2.4 (14) at half-time and put both hands on the trophy with a breakout third quarter that saw Beno (later named man-of-the-match) snapping two crucial goals to boost Koboni’s hopes.
Stoutly built Joseph Singura added one more six pointer midway into the quarter to make the task harder for Dockers.
The Dockers tried their best to peg back the lead with speedsters Ralph Vagelo and Archie Mai Jr punching through the pack but were only rewarded with a goal and a behind to trail 3.3 (21) to 5.8 (38).
The final quarter became asa stalemate as both sides struggled to finish off chances and Koboni ran out 5.10 (40) to 3.6 (24) winners.
Best for Koboni were Beno, Benjamin, Bobogi, Paul Philip and Douglas Lai Jr while, Musi, Tupia, Vagelo, Mai Jr, Chrijen Amona and Wesley Yuwi stood out for Dockers.
Goal kickers for Koboni were Beno (2), Kali, Singura (1) and Jambarufo (1) while Musi (2) and Tupia (1) were the Dockers scorers.
In the women’s grand final, Dockers beat Gordon Kokofas 3.5 (23) to 2.4 (16) while the Dockers reserve grade beat Bomana Cats 5.3 (33) to 1.4 (10).