World Footy News

Many things are happening through AFL Queensland that will be good for both PNG and international footy, from the appointment of an Oceania regional development manager to scholarship schemes in Brisbane and Cairns. And the Papuans now look closer than ever to having their first home-grown AFL listed player in John James. Read on for the latest from Australia's northern neighbour.

The Queensland Under 18 State Championships have just concluded in the Gold Coast and Brisbane areas. John James has been selected in the State Squad to go to the Australian Championships after a stunning tournament. The squad will begin a hectic 2008 campaign with a match against TAC Cup side Oakleigh Chargers at the Gabba on 19 April. It will lead into three matches in the NAB AFL Division Two championships in Melbourne on 7 May, 10 May and 14 May.

The Queensland under 18s are now a strong provider of AFL draftees. Given that the AFL in the past couple of weeks has changed the eligibility for clubs to list international players, eventually allowing each club to list up to 24, there must be a reasonable chance that James will be PNG’s first.

At least 3 Papua New Guineans played with the Country Kookaburra at the State Championships as products of the development program that AFLQ is working on in conjunction with PNG.

PNG at the State Championships

Round One:- The Kookaburra's Papua New Guinea contingent lead by John James through the midfield and Stanis Susuve & Augustine Bede up forward certainly added some excitement under the stadium lights as the conditions cooled from earlier in the day. Final Result was Country Kookaburras 10.8 (68) d Western Taipans 3.4 (22).

Goal Kickers: Kookas - John James 3, Miles Kerindon 2, Darcy Pope 2, Tom Rudolph 2, Stanis Susuve 1
Best: Kookas - Justin Myers John James, Zac Smith, Augustine Bede, Tom Rudolph

Round Two:- Final Result was South East Bushrangers 15.4 (94) d Country Kookaburras 5.11 (41)
Goal Kickers: Kookaburras - Miles Kerindun 2, Justin Myer 1, Darcy Pope 1, Tom Rudolph 1
Best: Kookaburras - Miles Kerindun, Atiba Jackson, John James, Justin Myers, Zac Smith

Round Three:- The Country Kookaburras' wasteful kicking in front of goals ruined their chances after trailing the Northern Raiders by four goals at half-time, the Raiders hanging on to win 10.10 (70) to 8.17 (65). The elusive John James sparked the Kookaburras after the side struggled early but it was to no avail.

Goalkickers: Kookaburras - Charlie Dixon 2, Matt Storey 1, Jon Hanran 1, Tom Rudolph 1, Ryan Patterson 1, Justin Myers 1, Darcy Pope 1.
Best Players: Kookaburras - John James, Justin Myers, Matt Storey, Charlie Dixon, Jon Hanran, Zac Smith.
Round Four:- It was reported that injury to John James didn’t help the result for the Kookaburras, indicating the high regard with which he is held. Final Result was Gold Coast Stingrays 16.8 (104) d Country Kookaburras 4.9 (33)

Goal Kickers: Kookaburras - John James 1, Andrew Joyce 1, Atiba Jackson 1, Matt Pendlington 1
Best Players: Kookaburras - Justin Myers, Andrew Joyce, Atiba Jackson, Clint Maltby, Darcy Pope

Round Five:- Final result was Suncoast Power 10.11 (71) d Country Kookaburras 9.11 (65)

Goal Kickers:- Kookaburras - Justin Myers 3, Mitchell Nicholson 2, Charlie Dixon 2, Tom Rudolph 1, Daniel Watkins 1
Best Players: Kookaburras - Justin Myers, Zac Smith, Atiba Jackson, Jeff Nuemann, Andrew Joyce, Chas Rienhardt

FINAL PLACINGS: Gold Coast Stingrays, South East Bushrangers, Suncoast Power, Northern Raiders, Country Kookaburras, Western Taipans

PNG in Cairns

There is also a contingent of PNG players playing in Far North Queensland in the Cairns competition. This group has also been invited to train with the Cairns Under 18 development squad. According to Matt Hillard of cairns.com.au, “Their trademark pace, evasive skills and ball-carrying abilities are noticeable from the moment you watch them train with their Far North counterparts.” AFL Cairns Development Manager Eddie Skiba said the boys added an X factor to the Cairns under-18 squad. "Their knowledge and awareness of the game is very good". He added that the boys would train with the Cairns squad in preparation for the under-18 Queensland Country Championships in Rockhampton. Beyond that, State Championships beckon for those good enough. Hillard continued “While PNG players Ogla Pena, Ferdinand Musi, Willie Nicholas, Jackson Bell and Augustine Bede are making their first trip to Australia for football, Bergman Talingapua has done it all before. Talingapua, 17, was part of the group which travelled to Australia last year. Talingapua played in the Manunda Hawks under-18 premiership last season.

State U18 Champ's underway

PNG boys show top skills

Strong interest in state champs

Selectors name U18 Scorpions squad