World Footy News

PNG have continued their great efforts in securing scholarship places for their junior and development players. Added to the success of the recent One Tribe tour of PNG it all bodes well for future success in so many ways for Australian football in PNG. Scott Reid, Chairman of the AFLPNG Board, was kind enough to give WFN a brief rundown on this year’s crop of footy exports - a staggering 24 in all.

And in news just in, expect information on yet another exciting development for PNG footy shortly.

Here is the list of PNG talent in Australia in 2009:

QUEENSLAND

Coolangatta

1.Peter Milaura - 21yo, good overhead, smart runner, good skills with capacity to improve now with maturity
2.David Evertius – 23yo, mature, hard tackling defender, reliable left foot, if fit can play midfield
3.Augustine Bede – 19yo, won Competition B&F for Coolangatta U18s in 2008, hard working, nuggetty rover
4.Desmond Waluka – 21yo, midfielder, great skills, good hands, great balance
5.Willie Aisi – 20 yo quarter back, good skills and awareness, ability to direct play from back half, can go to midfield.
6.Junior Henry – 23yo, Very strong, direct half back or midfielder, explosive with good endurance

Southport

7.David Meli (Stingrays / GC17) – 16yo, U16 QLD State Rep 2008, silky skills and good overhead. Has all attributes but needs to grow and mature.

GC17 and Southport

8.Amua Pirika – 17yo, first AFL PNG International Rookie, plays as key forward but could mature to be a taller running midfield, much upside, good lead, great hands and finds the footy well.

Brisbane Lions Academy

9.Brendon Beno – 15yo, genuine star, both feet, brave, smart mover, strong, one touch, could be the first PNG boy drafted if he grows and matures.
10.Junior Maca – 15yo, great overhead, good mover, good skills, plays tall, will mature.

Aspley

11.John James – super quick, strong tackler, elite second efforts, goalkicker and handy on baller, U18 QLD State & Qld State League Rising Star 2008
12.Stanis Susuve – strong tackler, aggressive, very athletic, good skills, explosive goalkicker and strong overhead. QLD State U16 2007, QLD State U18 2009, 30+ goals in 5 finals for Zillmere Reserves and World Team IC08.

Mt Gravatt

13.Donald Barry – 23yo, elite agility and speed, strong tackler, very smart with ball, good tactitian, very competitive, Runner Up B & F Coolangatta 08, 14 games Lions Reserves 08, Medal in IC Final, World Team 08.
14.Peter Labi – 18yo, great athlete, very good skills, strong overhead, good running ability, significant upside, U18 State Rep 09

Nambour / Sunshine Coast

15.Emmanuel Tupia – 18yo, elite athlete, booming left foot, good overhead, maturing fast.
16.John Vogae – 18yo, strong runner, great balance and evasive skills, good foot and hand skills, goalkicker.
17.Garry Kele – 17yo, smart rover, strong and gets ball, needs to improve running ability.

Sandgate

18. Naime Gordon – 16yo, developing ruckman, very smart, good skills, needs to grow and mature but ruck skills are exceptional

TASMANIA

East Devonport

19.Emmaus Wartovo – 22yo, super fast, great goal sense, elite evasive agility and very strong tackler, kicked 30+ goals for Coolangatta in both 07 and 08.
20.Joseph Ila – 25yo, utility player, good skills, link player, nice left foot, needs to be fully fit.
21.Gagu Kayagi – 17yo, very balanced runner, strong and direct, brave, leader, one grab with good foot skills.

VICTORIA

Bacchus Marsh

22.Zachary Rava – 25yo, utility forward, strong over footy, good kick for goal, tackles well, good goal sense.
23.Ali Pinda – 21yo, dynamic, explosive athlete, good skills and strong at football, great lead, needs discipline and endurance.
24.Theo Gavuri – 15yo, strong defender, good skills, smart, finds space and uses footy, hard at it and able to defend well.

Recently the local paper for Victorian town Bacchus Marsh, who hosted the PNG team during the last International Cup, greeted the arrival of their three players with great enthusiasm. Read PNG recruits ready to battle for Cobras to see what was said for an interesting perspective from the players involved.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

There has been expansion into Victoria and Tassie this year. AFLPNG have also had discussions with the SANFL in Adelaide, where former AFLPNG Operations Manager Peter Cates has returned home to, so that may be another possibility for other PNG players in future.