World Footy News

The Gold Coast's Papua New Guinean recruit, Amua Pirika (pictured), has made his presence felt at the 2009 NAB Under 18 Championships, which concluded in Melbourne today. Due to the creation of the Gold Coast Football Club, to enter the AFL in 2011, Queensland's Under 18 side has effectively been the Gold Coast TAC Cup Under 18 side. Coach Guy McKenna has rotated many players through the team, using the experience as a development process.

Since the excitement of being listed by the Gold Coast, Pirika and fellow PNG youngster Stanis Susuve have been starved of opportunities due to various circumstances that will be discussed in a future story when certain information is no longer embargoed. But Pirika played for Queensland against Tasmania and in today's game against the Northern Territory the 18 year old was unleashed with great effect, kicking 3 goals and being named his team's third best player in their 1 point loss. Hopefully the breakout game will boost his confidence and if worst came to worst and the Coasters did not persist with him all the way to 2011, then shining in front of all the AFL club talent managers will have been a good career move.

Given the dearth of available talent being predicted over the coming years, it is ironic that the Gold Coast, with an array of draft picks, has been the first club to take any kind of punt on players developed as Aussie Rules players outside of Australia.