In 2008, Papua New Guinea finally got the monkey off the back. After finishing runners up in 2002 to Ireland, and again in 2005 to New Zealand, the PNG Mozzies completed a hard fought narrow win over the (then) NZ Falcons (now Hawks) at the MCG as a lead in to an AFL finals match between Hawthorn and the Doggies.
Many of the younger stars of that squad have now found themselves well and truly on the footy talent pathway. Further young talent continues to come through the system and have benefited from showing their wares, whether representing PNG in a Cairns pre-season comp, or representing the Pacific Islands. Further opportunities await the South Pacific side in the upcoming (early July) AFL National Championships Div 2.
For now though names like David Meli, Peter Labi, Amua Pirika and John James may not be household names, however they are the names of young men who are improving all the time. We hope that sooner rather than later we see a PNG ‘graduate’ hit the big time.
When the first young man makes the grade he won’t be a flash in the pan. And he will be representative of a growing number of talented players that would allow a PNG best possible national side right now to put up a pretty damn good show against just about any 2nd/3rd tier Australian opposition.
On Saturday, David Meli, who has an international scholarship with Essendon, was great in the midfield for Queensland in the U18 nationals as he accumulated 28 possessions and bombed the ball inside 50 on eight occasions, listed in the best and contributing a goal. Alas they went down narrowly by seven points. Countryman Emmanuel Tupia is also in the squad.
Meanwhile, in the QAFL state league seniors, Emmaus Wartovo (173 cm small forward) has booted 17 goals in seven games for Labrador in a narrow seven point loss to Morningside. The Labrador side includes ex-Lion Tim Notting who contributed four goals. Wartuvo was named fourth best. This followed Wartuvo booting four in the Round Six sixteen point win over Aspley.
Back in Round Five, Labrador’s Stanis Susuve was named best as the side had a resounding 42 point win over the Brisbane Lions reserves side. Susuve has since returned to the Gold Coast (GC17) VFL side and snagged a goal on debut as GCFC secured its first VFL win over Geelong.
Susuve kicked off the QAFL season well back in Round One with two goals and third best for Labrador in a big win over Western Magpies.
Meanwhile, Mt Gravatt completed a narrow four win over the Northern Territory Thunder on the road in Alice Springs. PNG’s John James contributed a goal and was named third best for the Mt Gravatt Vultures, while Amua Pirika was named BOG.
Back in Melbourne and Peter Labi (Carlton international scholarship) debuted in the seniors for the Northern Bullants and contributed a goal as the injury depleted side went down to Casey Scorpions by 48 points. Playing there along side the likes of Lachie Henderson, Mitch Robinson, Simon Wiggins and against players like Cale Morton, Brad Miller, Joel MacDonald and Austin Wonaemirri. It can not be suggested that it’s anything but a quality second tier competition.
There are many more PNG lads spread around the country and on AFL club international scholarship and rookie lists. Including PNG’s Don Barry who was third best for the Brissie Lions 2nds in their Round Seven clash with Southport (interestingly too, Sean Yoshiura was amongst the best too), following his three goals in Round Six versus Redland
In Division Two, Coolangatta are sitting 3-5, and gained publicity pre-season with a number of PNG lads signed to try to climb off the bottom of the ladder. Over the last month Pinda and Henry in particular have featured in the best players.
The question has been asked just how good is PNG’s best side?
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Not a single Swan acknowledged Sam Wicks' second goal against Hawthorn on Sunday, with the apparent snub coming after he was left out of…
Former Adelaide captain Rory Sloane has been forced into immediate retirement by the threat of further eye damage. Sloane, 34, had a second bout…
"You can't push forward with Zac Williams in the short-term... you've got to set standards."
Kane Cornes has hit back at suggestions Aliir Aliir had some responsibility in being concussed in Jack Higgins' dangerous tackle, which saw the Saint…
The MRO handed the Bulldogs player a one-game suspension for rough conduct after his shepherd on Fremantle opponent Brandon Walker.
With the national competition, the premiership-winning coach says some games it was hard to feel the occasion such as ANZAC Round - and it's…
