Yesterday, The Age published an article acknowledging Papua New Guinea’s win in an International Cup (IC) semi-final against the USA, focusing on the incredible journey of David Meli and the tragic circumstances of the sudden death of his father and Papua New Guinea team manager Peter Meli, on the eve of the IC.
In recognition of what Papua New Guinea will try to achieve at the MCG this Saturday in becoming the first team to win the IC a second time, I would like to focus some attention on the role Meli had played over the past 25 years in bringing Australian football back to some prominence in Papua New Guinea, a role which deserves some form of acknowledgment from the AFL, especially at this difficult time for the Meli family.
As Emma Quayle states so eloquently, Australian football had a huge following and participation base right up to 1975, when Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia, at which time, the public servants and teachers all moved back home.
For the next 25 years, the game was left to its own devices, whereupon it experienced a gradual decline with no fresh input from the governing body in Australia right through the 1980s.
Meli was introduced to the game as a child, and into his adult years, worked assiduously to keep the flame burning.
As a 32-year old, he helped Papua New Guinea achieve a respectable runners-up to Ireland in the inaugural IC in 2002.
Since that time he had nurtured his son, David, to such a standard that he is currently signed by Essendon as an international scholarship holder.
An incredible aspect of Meli’s work was the capacity to bring, often antagonistic groups from different parts of the country together to play footy and form a national team.
In what will be a tough contest on Saturday at the MCG against Ireland, both seeking to win a second IC, David Meli will be seeking to continue the good work of his late father.
I would hope that the AFL would be able to recognise the efforts of the Meli family in re-establishing Australian football in Papua New Guinea, in particular, by giving generously to the AFLPNG’s trust fund in aid of the whole family.
All the best to David and the Mosquitoes this Saturday.
TW
Guest
Congrats to the Irish for winning the Tom Wills Trophy?????? (My thoughts) at the International Cup for the second time. As stated before the running game style from their Gaelic footy certainly helps. With their domestic league expanding and a couple of clubs running juniors now the situation looks better now than before. dont think the GAA behind the scenes are all that wrapped in the AR presence at times. PNG will bounce back of course, and NZ, and the U.S. will improve in the next 3 years. We have often discussed on here the future recruiting of International players into the AFL proper. This article and video highlights the fact they are coming and are out there in various countries. Let us hope with the increased TV funding from 2012 the AFL Commission opens the purse strings with increased balanced targeting of the international scene. Link-- http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/121927/default.aspx
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yet the AFL is talking up the growth of womens football, there's clearly a failed meeting of the minds somewhere along the line.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
Its to do with them not being affiliated with the AFL in any way - I dont believe they are even affiliated with Football Victoria. As such, theres little to no communication with the top league anyway.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yep, I thought the exact same thing. Also worth recalling there were a fair few teenagers in the PNG team, so they'll be there again next time better than ever
stabpass
Guest
Possibly height in key positions for Ireland, ??, dont want to say it, but to quote a old cliche ....' a good big man will always beat a good little man'. Possibly fitness ??, gaelic football is a running game, these boys really run the ball, and take the man on, but i would imagine the PNG lads doing the same thing. My money would have been on PNG, so good on the Irish boys.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Big turnaround here at the MCG, it's all over: Ireland win their second International Cup! Final Score Ireland 8.5 (53) to PNG 5.5 (35) Goalkickers at three quarter time: PNG: Susuve 2, Meli, Pinda, Beno Ireland: Finn 4, McManus 3, Purcell Ireland have finished very strongly here, after trailing right up till three-quarter time. It looks like Ireland had some good options up forward, with finn and McManus getting amongst the goals. Congratulations to Ireland for their second IC win (of four).
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Half way through the final quarter now, and Ireland have taken complete control of this match, leading by exactly two goals, PNG yet to score a major in the second half.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Score update IC Final, MCG Three quarter time PNG 5.5 (35) lead Ireland by a point 5.4 (34) Goalkickers at three quarter time: PNG: Susuve 2, Meli, Pinda, Beno Ireland: McManus 3, Finn 2
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Close to the 3/4 time siren and Ireland now trail by one behind, but appear to have all the momentum.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
McManus the hero for Ireland, has kicked both goals during the 3rd term, and has kicked three for the match.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Score update IC Final, MCG Into the 3rd quarter and Ireland are back into it, they've caught up the two goal deficit, and now PNG lead by only 3 behinds: 5.5 to 5.2
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Score update IC Final, MCG Half time PNG 5.4 (34) lead Ireland 3.0 (18) Goalkickers at half time: PNG: Susuve 2, Meli, Pinda, Beno Ireland: Finn 2, McManus
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Score update IC Final, MCG Into the second quarter, PNG still maintain a two goal break.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Goalkickers at quarter time: PNG: Meli, Susuve, Pinda Ireland: McManus
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Score update IC Final, MCG Quarter time: PNG 3.2 (20) Ireland 1.0 (6)
The Cattery
Roar Guru
The IC final between PNG and Ireland is about to start at the MCG. Both are looking to become the first team in the short history of the IC to win a second title. Gool luck to both teams. I will try and bring quarter by quarter updates as scores come through.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Summary of mens division from IC games today: Play off for 3rd and 4th: NZ 12.4 (76) def USA 6.5 (41) Play off for 5th and 6th: South Africa 7.10 (52) def Nauru 7.4 (46) Play off for 7th and 8th: Great Britain 8.12 (60) def Denmark 3.3 (21) Play off for 9th and 10th: Tonga 6.10 (36) def Canada 6.4 (40) this was Tonga's first IC, very good result for them Play off for 11th and 12th: Sweden 5.7 (37) def Japan 4.9 (33) Play off for 13th and 14th (Div 2 final): Fiji 9.8 (62) def France 3.3 (27) debut for both teams Play off for 15th and 16th: Peace Team 7.15 (57) def India 2.8 (20) Play off for 17th and 18th: China 6.6 (42) def Timor-Leste 5.5 (35) debut for Timor-Leste
The Cattery
Roar Guru
All games completed today. Here's a summary of final results: Womens Division: Final Ireland 5.9 (39) def Canada 1.2 (8) It was close at half time, but Canada failed to score in the second half, while Ireland scored two goals in each of the 3rd and final quarters to run out convincing inaugural womens champions. Play off for 3rd and 4th: USA 4.3 (27) def PNG 1.2 (8) I look forward to the womens division of the next IC expanding to take on more teams. Watch out for further improvement from the US, Canada and PNG.
stabpass
Guest
West New Britain, from memory has always been a AF stronghold.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Nathan we have seen some contests, like indigenous youth teams playing overseas teams, and only last year, the AIS Academy (around U17s) matched up against a Europe U20 side, and won convincingly. For the moment, the gap remains huge, but it's definitely much better than when the IC started 9 years ago, that's the whole point of having it.