Koboni sneak into fifth spot

 GRAFFITI Koboni has sneaked into fifth spot by a whisker ahead of Hitron Bomana Cats on Port Moresby AFL ladder with a comprehensive 37 points win over Kwila Gulf Giants.

The Demons beat the Giants 9-9-63 to 4-2-26 at the new-look Colts ground on Saturday to take the fifth spot.

They anxiously awaited the Cats clash with Lamana Dockers on Sunday and their prayers were leniently answered when the ladder leaders pushed under a strong Cats outfit by 17 points.

The Cats have themselves to blame for the loss for the indecision made by their captain Nane Rai to go with the wind in the first quarter after winning the toss.

Although the Cats booted 3.3 to the Dockers lone goal in the opening quarter to take the early lead, they were kept scoreless in the second quarter as the competition heavyweights piled three goals to overtake the lead by three points.

The AFL Academy boys came back strongly in the third quarter and booted two goals and two behinds while keeping the Dockers scoreless to take the lead by 11 points. 

Dockers came back in the final quarter to belt home four goals and four behinds with the aid of the wind to eventually win the match while keeping the Cats scoreless.

The final score, in favour of the Dockers was 8-5-53 to 5-6-36.

In the earlier match on Sunday, CPL Gerehu Magpies put up a strong fight against Moniplus Taurama Suns only to be bundled out at the final whistle with a scoreline of 8-10-58 to 7-4-48.

In the other match on Saturday Moore Printing University Tigers edged out SP Defence Hawks 4-4-28 to 2-4-16 in a match that did not reach any greater heights. 

The loss by the Cats enabled Koboni to take-up fifth spot by a better percentage but the Demons take a tough challenge against the Suns this weekend. A win will secure their finals placing for the play-offs next week.

The Cats also have a tough challenge again this weekend against Digicel Gordon Kokofas and a win by the Kokofas will jeopardize the Cats finals hopes.

The ladder after Round 17 matches: Dockers 64, Tigers 56, Suns 52, Kokofas 48, Koboni 36 (121%), Cats 36 (108%), Giants 20, Hawks 16, Magpies 12 and Bombers nil.