Kaugla kicks 4 goals to help Cats upset Koboni

Kelly Kaugla broke the hearts of many AFL followers with his incisive runs across the paddock to help the Cats to an impressive 27-points win over Koboni in the EsiLoan-sponsored season opener at the Colts Oval on Saturday.
He was in a class of his own, ripping through the pack with alertness and agility to make life difficult for the Demons in defence.
Kaugla, who debuted for the Papua New Guinea Mosquitoes in 2017, was named the man of the match after the youngster kicked four goals and a behind in the 10.9 (69) to 6.6 (42) victory.
Reigning premiers Koboni were favoured to win the match and they lived up to expectation when they dominated play in the first two quarters to lead 6.3 (39) to 4.4 (28) at half-time.
After a pep-talk from coach Colin Spencer, the Cats halted the Demons’ first-half dominance in the third quarter to run in twos and threes to create pressure against the wind.
The Demons had the use of the wind in the third quarter but pressure from the Cats prevented them from getting a clear passage to the goal and only managed a behind.
On the other hand, the Cats powered through for four goals and two behinds to take the lead 8.6 (54) to 6.4 (40) at the third-quarter break.
In the final quarter, the Cats picked up from where they left off to dominate the scoreboard with two goals and three behinds to run out the victors while the Demons only managed two behinds.
The progressive scores for the Cats were 3.3, 4.4, 8.6, 10. 9 (69) and Demons 3.1, 6.3, 6.4, 6.6 (42). The goal kickers for the Cats were Kaugla (4), Gerard (3), Jackson Nawi (2) and Charlie (1).
Koboni’s goal-kickers were Jordan Uve (2), Manu Moi (1), Paul Philip (1), Amua Pirika (1) and Ila Musa (1).
Koboni stand-outs were Musa, Moi, Uve, Pirika, Philip and Jambarufo while everyone played well for the Cats, with Kaugla taking out the man-of-the-match award.
In the other matches on Sunday, West Eagles proved too strong for Central Bombers with a final score of 9.10 (64) to 5.3 (33) while resurgent Gerehu Magpies received a baptism of fire from Gordon Kokofas 7.6 (48) to 4.3 (27).
In the women’s matches, Dockers thrashed Koboni 8.4 (52) to nil while Gordon Kokofas walked over Gerehu Magpies 3.5 (23) to nil.