Koboni face stiff test against traditional rivals West Eagles

By ROBSON AKIS
CONCEPT Koboni face another stiff test when they take on West Eagles in round three of the Port Moresby AFL Esi Loan Premiership at Colts Oval on Sunday.
Both are traditional rivals and the match is expected to bring out some good marking and ball-handling skills to keep the spectators entertained throughout.
Reigning champions Koboni began the season on the wrong foot, losing to the Cats by 18 points in the season opener two weeks ago and then a four-point loss to Dockers last week.
The Eagles on the other hand started the season on a high note, dusting off Gereka Bombers by 27 points in the season opener and then overpowering Cats by 29 points last week.
The Eagles are in fine form, with exciting ball runners Greg Ekari and Kila Rawali controlling the engine room with their short punts.
The duo will be relied again on Sunday to bring about scoring opportunities for the Eagles.
They will be assisted by Papua New Guinea Mosquitoes captain John James Lavai, Reagan Naipao and young Dominic Meli. The height advantage also favours the Eagles with captain Jeffery Namete, Clyde Pulah, Alonge Mondo and Kase cousins Dunstall and Jeremy standing tall with strong aerial marks.
The Demons are still struggling to find their feet and it does not help them much with Hapeo Bobogi and Lai Lai Jr (injuries) and Haksy Ehava (studies) missing from the team as key figures in the centre square.
But the reigning premiers still have the experience to swing the game in their favour if the seasoned PNG Mosquitoes players Amua Pirika, David Topeni, Brendan Beno, Paul Philip, Alphonse Jambarufo and Douglas Lai Jr lead by example and work together as a team to motivate their youngsters to get into the thick of it.
Pirika in particular needs to maintain his cool and sharpen up on his kicking.
Herald Kali should present himself as a handy choice for goal-kicking duties from the half-forward line as he did against the Dockers last week with shots on goal.
Fullback Chrijen Amona is expected to have a strong game and his contest against the Eagles’ PNG Mosquitoes stalwart Jeffery Namete should produce some entertaining moments.
In the curtain-raiser on Sunday, Gereka Bombers should have an easy run over North Waigani Royals Tigers while in the women’s division, Gerehu Magpies should give the Dockers a tough challenge.
In tomorrow’s matches, the Cats should get back to the winning circles at the expense of Gerehu Magpies while Gordon Kokofas face an uphill battle against Dockers and Koboni should edge NW Royals Tigers in the women’s match.