Kokofas, Cats meet in Moresby AFL decider

Sports

By ROBSON AKIS
THE bizarre, the unexpected, the exciting and the heartbreaking moments of AFL will come to the fore once again when the Gordon Kokofas take on the Bomana Cats in grand final at the Colts Oval tomorrow.
It is the grand final the Kokofas players and fans have been waiting for to celebrate after three failed attempts – 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The Lizards have been the best team this year and  this really is their flag to lose.
They have got a lot of things going for them and deservingly will head into the match as favourites.
But that is not to say that the Cats would not be incredibly-deserving winners where favouritism just does not seem to matter in finals football and anything can happen.
The Cats are an ultra-skilled outfit chasing their second title in five years.
They won their first premiership beating the Dockers in 2011 with the current Papua New Guinea Mosquitoes players in the side including Gideon Simon, pictured, Brendan Beno, Scott Johnson, Michael Macca, Max Lavai, Alphonse Major, Jason So-on and Gotuno brothers, Brendan and Ezra. The Cats have come from virtual obscurity to feature in the club’s second grand final and they pose a big threat to the Lizards’ hopes of their first title.
The grand final will feature some tantalising subplots with the Cats’ Gilmore Morehari going up against rival midfielder and Kerema compatriot Archie Mai Levao.
Cats Kelly Kaugla, Kataha Seewee, Peter Lavong, Casper Babo, Kila Rawali, Jackson Nawi and Joshua Jesse will be primed to take on Una Yogomin, Bena Michael, Hapeo Bobogi, Neil Malabag, John Vincent and Caleb Ila.
It is going to be mentally draining contest and the team that can best hold their nerve through the difficult periods should go on to win. In the reserve grade reigning premiers the Defence Hawks take on the West Eagles.
The Hawks should be battle-hardened with the majority of their numbers regularly filling out in the top grade on a weekly basis.
Without a proper coach in 2016, the Luke Severe-guided side has maintained their reserve grade form despite being on the end of several thrashings throughout the course of the season in first grade.
In the women’s final, Koboni take on the Dockers in what is expected to be physical encounter with both sides not afraid to impose themselves in the contest.