Suns blaze on

 By ROBSON AKIS

THE Gordon Kokofas suffered a double blow to their Port Moresby AFL grand final dream when their A Grade and A Reserve teams were comprehensively bundled out of contention in the preliminary final at the Murray Barracks AFL Oval on Saturday.

The Kokofas’ succumbed to the might of the reigning champions Moni Plus Taurama Suns 6.8 (44) to 8.10 (58) while their reserve graders were blown off the park by a fast finishing University Tigers 7.4 (46) to 4.5 (29).

The Suns proceed to this weekend’s grand final in their title defence against the minor premiers Concept Koboni while the Tigers take on the Defence Hawks in the reserve grade final. Last year’s A Reserve premiers, Central Bombers were knocked out of the race by the Tigers in the semi-final last week.

The Kokofas’ senior graders have themselves to blame for the loss as they had all the chances to breakaway in the third quarter with the wind but inaccurate kicking for goal took a toll on them.

The game began on an even footing with both teams snapping four goals apiece to throw the challenge wind open.

The Suns had the use of the wind in the second quarter but the lizards held their ground and restricted the defending champions to one goal and five behinds while rewarding themselves with a goal and a behind to trail by five points at half-time 5.6 (36) to 5.1 (31).

The lizards went with the wind in the third quarter but when it mattered most, their forwards could only managed one six-pointer while the rest (six of them) went astray for behinds.  

 The Suns maintained consistency and snapped home one goal and one behind to even up the third quarter scores 6.7 (43) apiece.

The lizards held the Suns to the ropes for the best part of the final quarter but the agility, speed and accuracy of Jeffery Namete became the focal point of attack for the defending champions to notch the winning two goals and three behinds while the lizards struggled for a lone behind.