Whilst the Fijian news outlets have been providing almost wall to wall coverage of their boys in Tonga, back in Australia – there’s been barely a ripple. Today that’s changed with the News Ltd papers carrying features on Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau.

Scores from Days 1 and 3 of the Oceania Cup Under 16s tournament held in Tonga have now been updated.

Ed: The President's 18 is a side made up of players from other countries who were not able to send a full side, including Samoa and Vanuatu.

Karmichael Hunt spoke to SEN radio in Melbourne today from Tonga. Hunt reflects on his year so far, looks to what is ahead at the SUNS with the Ablett brothers and speaks on Israel Folau's transition. The interview can be heard here.

Australian Football might only be young in Fiji in organised terms, however, the benefit of marketable players such as David Rodan, Alipate Carlile and Nic Naitanui is obvious not just in the coverage of those player when back ‘home’ in Fiji, but, also the Fijian press has jumped right on board with AFL Fiji and the Power Under 16s currently in Tonga. Further press coverage included herein.

AFL Fiji reports that the Fiji Power under 16s, resplendent in their Port Power supplied kit, have kicked off the Oceania Cup in Tonga in fine style with a narrow 8 pt win over Nauru. (4.2.26 def 3.0.18). In blustery conditions at the Tonga College Grounds, Nukualofa, Fiji kicked the first 3 goals of the game for a handy lead before Nauru rallied.

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Australian Football in Vanuatu has been taking baby steps for a couple of years – however, over the last 12-18 months momentum has increased and the newly incorporated AFL Vanuatu is sending 5 young boys to Tonga to join the All Stars squad in the Oceania Under 16s tournament starting next week.

AFL Vanuatu has grown on the efforts of some dedicated individuals such as Justin Johnson and more recently Malcolm Thiel.

WFN has reported previously on footy in the Solomon Islands, where RAMSI Special Co-ordinator and former South Melbourne player, Graeme Wilson has taken charge of Solkick and footy in the Solomons - acting as Secretary of the Solomon Islands AFL Federation.

In October this year, Wilson announced that they hoped to send an Under 16 team to Tonga for the upcoming Oceania Under 16s tournament. The good news is that 24 lads are ready to head to Tonga and take up the challenge for the Solomon’s first representative footy team.

Rising West Coast Eagles star Nic Naitanui, 20, has today agreed to a new three-year contract extension, binding him to the club until the end of the 2014 season.

The emerging 201cm ruckman, one of the most exciting prospects in the AFL, had been touted as a possible target for the new Greater Western Sydney franchise, but he revealed today that he never intended leaving the club.

“I wasn’t going anywhere,” Naitanui said. “This is a young and exciting group, there is already a strong bond between everyone at the club and I want to be a part of that for the next five to 10 years.

The 2010 Coca-Cola AFLPNG Talent Camp was held over the weekend at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Papua New Guinea.

85 kids from all over PNG, including the New Guinea Islands, the Highlands, Lae and Port Moresby gathered in the Eastern Highlands province for a weekend of gruelling physical testing.

The NZ Hawks youth team has been named and will play against up to 7 countries from the Pacific region including an indigenous team from Australia, The Flying Boomerangs. The Kiwis will be looking to improve after last year's very raw squad finished 3rd, behind Nauru and surprise winners Tonga. Competition will be tough with the 2009 tournament favourite, Papua New Guinea, keen to play well after ultimately being unable to attend last time.

Once again talent scouts from the AFL clubs will be in attendance in search of potential International Scholarships from the participants aged between 14 to 17.