World Footy News

The U16 Binatangs returned home to PNG recently after a long and exciting AFL tour in Queensland. AFL Queensland have nominated three Binatangs as part of the Queensland State Squad. These three boys, Garry Kele (who also received the Coach’s award as Most Promising Player), David Meli and Naime Gordon have not returned to PNG with the rest of the team but will remain in Brisbane to be part of the Queensland State U16’s Squad and will return to PNG in September.

It is an exciting four months for Gary, David and Naime who will be billeted by members of the Caboolture Football Club and play football for the Caboolture U16 Division One team. In addition they will attend training and camps with the State Squad and undertake work experience in Development and Administration at the AFL Brisbane North Office.

The tour began with a close loss in the Mal Michael Cup in Cairns. This match was followed by a 16 goal triumphant victory against the “Northern All Stars” in North Brisbane just prior to the U16 Queensland State Championships. The results in the State Championships were a huge improvement on last year with games being at a higher standard and the PNG players displaying improved skills. Although losing the first two games, the Binatangs easily accounted for the Queensland Colts in the last game of the Championships.

In only their second year at State Championship level the U16 Binatangs again acquitted themselves well against very experienced and well drilled Queensland teams. The scores do not accurately reflect the closeness of the games, or the competitiveness of the PNG boys. This is shown in game three where the Binatangs had twice the scoring shots of the Colts but only beat them by 14 points. PNG football people should be very proud of their young, aspiring AFL players, given the issues of travel and training, that they can match it with their counterparts in Australia.

All in all the tour must be seen as a huge success. The greater understanding of Australian Football gained by all the Binatangs will only help to improve the standard of the game across PNG. The players will return to their respective regions and take with them some fantastic memories, and a better knowledge of the game to impart to their peers and siblings.

Competition Results

“Australia Post” AFL Queensland
State Under 16 Development Championships 2008

Round 1

Western Taipans 16.5 (101) d PNG 3.5 (23)

Goal Kickers:
Western Taipans – R.Tagell 3, S.Usherwood 2, C.Hudghton 2, J.Scarce 1, T.Hunt 1, C.Murphy 1, B.Sier 1, J.Collins 1, D.Haddad 1, T.Ielasi 1, R.Liddy 1, B.Boyle 1

PNG – D.Kerea 1, J.Olik 1, J.Lavatu 1

Best:
Western Taipans – S.Usherwood, A.Borchardt, B.Boyle, T.Ielasi, T.Colburn
PNG – D.Meli, G.Kele, N.Gordon, D.Kerea, E.Takolu, A.Raoma

Round 2

Suncoast Power 15.3 (93) d PNG 7.4 (46)

Goal Kickers:
Power – J.Sheridan 3, J.Savage 2, A.Stevenson 2, H.Wilson 2, D.Courtney 1, T.D’Arcy 1, J.Bruhn 1, J.Ryan 1, D.Magill 1, D Weickhardt 1
PNG – G.Kele 4, N.Gordon 1, D.Meli 1

Best:
Power – H.Wilson, A, Stevenson, M.Kirkpatrick, D.Magill, J.Savage
PNG – D.Meli, G.Kele, N.Gordon, N.Henaoe, D.Kerea, E.Takolu

Round 3

PNG 8.10 (58) d AFLQ Colts 7.2 (44)

Goal Kickers:
PNG – D.Meli 3, E.Takolu 1, G.Kele 1, W.Pena 1, H.Sunan 1, D.Kerea 1
Colts – C.Wittkop 2, B.Coulter 1, J.Kennedy 1, K.Collett 1, A.Clarke 1, I.Hunt 1

Best:
PNG– D.Meli, G.Kele, N.Gordon, E.Taklou, D.Kerea, N.Noki
Colts – I.Hunt, R.Page, K.Collett, A.Clarke

PNG's three Queensland Under 16 Scorpions for 2008