Gereka Bombers Thump West Eagles to Meet Gerehu Magpies in POM AFL Grand Final Rematch

The Gereka Bombers outclassed the West Eagles with 8 goals and 5 behinds (53) to 3 goals and 7 behinds (25) in the Senior Men’s Port Moresby AFL Preliminary Final on Saturday, 4th October, 2025, at Colts Oval. 

Finishing 4th on the ladder at the conclusion of the regular season, the Gereka Bombers peaked in the playoffs and won three consecutive elimination games, and booked their ticket in the big dance. 

Both sides started slow in the opening quarter, with the Eagles taking a low-scoring 1.2.4 - 1.1.2 lead over the Bombers. However, the Bombers regrouped in the second quarter and jumped to a 4.2.26 - 1.3.9 lead. 

The eventual winners tightened their grip in the third quarter, further extending their lead to 6.4.40 - 3.4.22 and blowing the hapless Eagles off the park in the final quarter with 8.5.53 - 3.7.25. 

No one gave the Bombers a chance to reach the grand final, given the precarious position they were on the ladder, but the determined Gereka men put their best foot forward and overcame the obstacle and marched to the decider. 

Gereka Bombers’ coach Mek Loi said: “My boys switched off in the first quarter, but I did a reshuffle in the second quarter, and what I expected them to do, they delivered it in the third and fourth quarters. I am really proud of them.”

Coach Loi noted that they would need to start strong in the grand final and polish up in a few areas that the team had lacked against the Eagles in the semis, if they want to be crowned the champions. 

He also thanked Governor Powes Parkop and Hon. Justin Tkatchenko for their sponsorship, including the backing of their families and fans, whose unwavering support has boosted the players’ performance on the field this season. 

The Bombers boast a couple of PNG Mosquitoes, in the likes of captain John James, Joel Ginara, Glenn Saniong, Jeremiah Ben, and Rex Peregua. These men's big-game experience will come in handy in the grand final.

This will be the Gereka Bombers’ third straight grand final, where they lost in 2023 against the Gordons Kokofa and drew with the Gerehu Magpies last year. The Bombers and Magpies will have a rematch in the decider on Saturday, 18th October 2025.