World Footy News

Supporters of international footy will be excited that the first country has arrived that can regularly provide valuable footballers to leagues in Australia. This means that the game is truly developing well in their country. Of course there is a drawback that must be remembered. The lure of Australia will provide players with valuable experience and possibly an income, but a net loss of players from the home country will weaken the domestic league they have left.

Papua New Guinea is now at risk from this situation. As reported in PNG's The National in Dockers stars on contract overseas, players such as Desmond Kaumu and Emmaus Wartovo will be sorely missed by their clubs. Kaumu played for the Mosquitos in the last International Cup, and won the Cairns AFL under 18s best player award in 2004. Wartovo is the son of a former PNG Rugby League international, and was a member of the under 18s Country Queensland Kookaburras this year.

However, if they do well in Australia and the majority later return home, richer in knowledge and skills for the experience (and perhaps in the wallet too) then they may in fact be a great help to the game locally in the longer term. This is the fine balance that could ultimately determine whether Australian Football becomes a part of the sporting culture of other countries, or simply a niche sport that occasionally poaches talented juniors, never to return. Let's hope it is the former. In the case of the Papuans, it's quite likely that AFLPNG staff are very much aware of these issues.