Australian rules football in Papua New Guinea

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Australian rules football in Papua New Guinea
Png victory 3.jpg
Papua New Guinea's Mosquitos celebrate taking the International Cup from New Zealand to become International champions in 2008.
CountryPapua New Guinea
Governing bodyPNG Rules Football Council
National team(s)Papua New Guinea
First played1944, Lae
Registered players1,920 (adult) 22,000 (junior)[1]
Club competitions
Goroka Football League
Kimbe Football League
Lae Football League
Mt Hagen Football League
Port Moresby Football League
Rabaul Football League
Eastern Highlands Rules Football League
Audience records
Single match10,000 (1976) PNG vs Nauru Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, Port Moresby[2]

Australian rules football in Papua New Guinea (PNG) (typically referred to as "Rules", "Rules football", or less commonly "AFL rules", "AFL", "Aussie Rules" or "football") is a developing team sport which was initially introduced by Australian servicemen during World War II.

Prior to independence from Australia the sport boomed in the 1960s and 70s, the standard of representatives sides from PNG reached a level close to that of the semi-professional leagues in Australia, proving themselves to be competitive against VFL clubs and representative teams from Australia, Indigenous Australia and Nauru. Since the 1980s, particularly in the National Capital District, Rules fell into the shadow of League. Nevertheless, Rules has seen a major revival in the 1990s. PNG has been successful in amateur competition and provides a source of talent for clubs in Australia.

The Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team is the most decorated in international Australian Football, having won more International titles (3 - 2008, 2014, 2017) than any other nation, in addition, it has won silver medals in 2002, 2005, 2011 and three gold at the Arafura Games.

Players of Papua New Guinean heritage have played professionally in the Australian Football League, the most famous of which is "king" Mal Michael. The AFL has established a pathway from PNG to the AFL mainly through Queensland but more recently through Tasmania.

The governing body for the sport is the PNG Rules Football Council, with the development body being AFL PNG.

In the media, the sport is covered by The National and Papua New Guinea Post-Courier and EMTV.

History[]

Early Beginnings[]

Big name Australian rules players from the 15th Brigade stationed in New Guinea in January, 1944 including LCpl James Patrick "Shane" McGrath (VFL Melbourne); Lt John Huggett "Jack" Pimm (VFL Collingwood);Kenneth Onley (VFA Port Melbourne); LCpl Richard David Hingston (VFL Melbourne) and Cpl Ronald Walter Leishman (VFA Brunswick)
One of the Australian personnel teams (22nd works company) credited with introducing the sport to Lae, New Guinea in early 1944

Calls for a football match in the Territory of New Guinea by the Australian military were made as early as 1943 during the New Guinea campaign.[3]

One of the earliest recorded matches was in 1944 by Australian school teachers and defence force personnel in the capital Lae and the inland town of Nagada.[4] At the time, Papua New Guinea was an Australian territory.

In November 1945, a match was played between Victoria and "The Rest" at Torokina, Bougainville.[5]

A competition was played in Rabaul, New Britain in 1946 between servicemen, including the 29/46th infantry battalion, who played several matches against sides from New Guinea and New Britain.[6]

1960s: Rules Booms[]

The game was seldom played until the earliest recorded match in Papua between Australians at Boroko Rugby League Oval, Port Moresby, 24 September 1961.[7] Matches were also played in Lae.[7] Rules was a relatively new sport in Papua, where rugby league had a significant head start. However there were numerous Victorians, including many from the Warrnambool district working in Moresby at the time, enough to kickstart an 8 team competition.[8]

The Cleland Medal was first awarded to the best locally produced player, in 1964 the winner Herea Amini who was rewarded with a flight to Melbourne to play for 2 weeks with the VFL's Demons.[9] Amini returned from Melbourne to found the Koboni Demons Football Club, adopting the colours and moniker of the Melbourne Football Club in 1965.

There was an annual football carnival between Papua, New Guinea and the New Guinea Islands.[7] In 1967 it was held in Rabaul and in 1968 it was hosted by Lae.

Papua Australia Rules team 1967 in the football carnival in Rabaul between Papua, New Guinea and the New Guinea Islands.
Army Australia Rules Team Port Moresby 1968. Members of the team were from Murray and Taurama Barracks

In 1969 Papua New Guinea sent its first touring side to compete against the Mount Isa league in Queensland, played three games and won two of them.[10]

In 1969 on 8 October a touring St Kilda football team from the Victorian Football League (VFL) coached by Allan Jeans[11] visited Port Moresby defeated a composite national PNG team at the South Pacific Oval 9-17-61 to 1-6-12[12] VFL great Ted Whitten, excited about the growth of the game in the highlands visited Madang; Mt Hagen; Goroka; Wewak, and Kieta in November of that year, showing locals video footage from the Richmond vs Carlton VFL Grand Final.[13] A combined Gold Coast side toured PNG winning by a point.[14]

Extensive growth was seen in 1970 with a new 4 team league in New Ireland established.[15] In Morobe and the Eastern highlands in 1971 the game was booming, with the Lae league expanding to 13 teams[16] and the Goroka league expanding in 1971 to 8 clubs.[17]

In 1972, organised by Brian Fry, schoolboy competition began, helping boost junior player numbers.[18]

1970s: First international competition[]

With the independence of Papua New Guinea, the opportunity presented itself for the first fully-fledged international matches in the sport. In 1973, an Indigenous Australian side selected from an Australian six-state tournament toured Papua New Guinea, led by Roger Rigney, an Indigenous player from South Australian National Football League (SANFL) club Sturt. The following year the return tour saw the PNG side captain coached by Vili Maha defeat the Indigenous Australian side at Ainslie Oval in Canberra.[19]

VFL club South Melbourne, looking for new talent pools, expressed an interest in declaring PNG a recruitment zone. In 1973 outstanding Koboni players Vili Maha and Gimana Guma were flown to Australia to be trialled with the club, playing reserves games[20] however they did not break into the senior side. The following year Maha and Guma's Koboni club were brought to Australia and play against the South Melbourne Football Club reserves which they defeated soundly 14-4-104 to South Melbourne's 6-14-50.[21]

In 1975 Port Moresby B-side defeated the visiting Royal Australian Navy team in front of a crowd of 1,000 spectators.[22]

In October 1976, North Melbourne (VFL) toured and played against PNG at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium as a curtain raiser exhibition match[23] to the PNG vs Nauru international match[24] coached by Ron Barassi, North Melbourne won 18-12-120 to 11-10-76. In November 1976, PNG's junior side toured Victoria and played a game against VFL club Geelong, pushing the local side, coached by Kevin Sheehan, who won by just 4 points.[25][26]

In 1977 based on the competitiveness against top VFL sides the ANFC put forward a proposal for a Papua New Guinea team to enter the knockout NFL Night Series tournament.[27]

The first ever national side was named in 1976.[28] and its first full international was against Nauru in Port Moresby in front of a crowd of over 10,000 at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.[29] The year saw the first-ever international matches involving Australia at under 17 level between the Victoria Under 17 team (the reigning Australian Champions) and Papua New Guinea. The following year the PNG team reciprocated in Adelaide, with the Australian teams winning both matches.[30]

Also in 1977, a visiting Gold Coast side, topped up this time with players from Victoria and Tasmania, were defeated by a national junior side at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. In 1978 the return touring team led by captain-coach Joel Matage lost 15-11-101 narrowly to the Gold Coast home side 17-13-115 in front of a crowd of 5,000 spectators at Salk Oval.[31]

VFL takes an interest in talent[]

In March 1978, following clinics by talent scout Kevin Sheehan, VFL clubs began to express increased interest in PNG's playing talent. Australian volunteer in Lae Richard Kidby in 1978 proclaimed that the rapid growth of the sport was outpacing Australia, saying it was fast becoming the most popular sport and predicted a national team would be capable of defeating a VFL team within 5 years, but lamented the lack of support and vision from Australia.[32]Fitzroy flew William Maha and Peter Pati to train with the club and play in the reserves, North Melbourne picked David Haro and Mea Vui[33] while Hawthorn in October flew in Ambrose Vaki and Peter Pati from Wewak as well as Port Moresby's Martin Tulungan and Tamo Vele.[34]

1980s: Australia takes control, new structure crumbles[]

The Australian National Football Council stepped in with funding and appointed Peter Evans as full-time manager for the PNG Rules Council in 1978.[35] Evans oversaw a period of rapid and major restructure. Kevin Sheehan, newly appointed VFL promotional officer, visited Madang; Goroka, Lae, Rabaul, Kieta, Arawa and Port Moresby on November 9.[36] Evans, now promoted to PNG National Sports Secretary, flew a junior squad to Hobart in 1979 to participate in the Teal Cup (Australian Under 17 Championship). However following the tournament he became Tasmanian Football League chief administrator.[37] and local player William Maha was given the responsibility. The national team coached by Teio Ila was still on a high, thrashing a North Queensland representative side in Cairns by 61 points,[38] leading to the Cairns matches becoming an annual event[39] The Victorian chief of the National Football League John Warren visited in 1980 promising $100,000 in funding and sponsorship from Rothmans International though along with high expectations of the underresourced local competition for coaches, umpires and ground upgrades.[40] PNG was, however, never admitted as a full-voting member of the council.

With the VFL's more powerful position in national football administration and the National Football League's loss of control of the game in Australia, after 2 years of restructuring and promise, PNG was left without either an administration or funding support. Unlike the ANFC, the VFL was occupied with the expansion its Victorian competition interstate, beginning with the relocation of the South Melbourne Football Club to Sydney. The impact was immediate and profound, with the Port Moresby League being the only league still financial and the national team severely underfunded.[41] The "national" PNG team (consisting almost solely of Port Moresby players) travelled to the Gold Coast in 1980 where they were defeated by a representative Gold Coast team.[42] Under overwhelming financial pressure, the PNG Rules Council was forced to cancel the National Championships for the first time leaving a gaping hole in the competition.[43] Soccer and rugby league were being promoted as safer options than Rules, with much lower injury rates[44] and several provinces banned Rules from schools out of concern for student welfare due to increasing violence[45] The rapid decline of junior development and the focus on senior talent was lamented.[46] In a last ditch attempt to save the administration in 1982, members of the PNG Rules Council pushed for radical plans to move the rules season into the summer months.[47]

The collapse of the local administration signalled the end of Rules Football in PNG for some time. The popularity of rugby league, which begun being televised in the late 1970s, particularly the New South Wales Rugby League and Rugby League State of Origin matches between Queensland and New South Wales, skyrocketed. Apart from the VFL Grand Final, Australian Rules matches during the 1980s were rarely televised. Australian government aid funding was increasingly being allocated to other sports, particularly rugby league and soccer. Players disgruntled with the collapse of the local rules leagues switched to league in droves. With the introduction of the Kumuls to the Rugby League World Cup in 1985 and international matches were being regularly played in Port Moresby, rules fell out of favour. Rugby league dominated the media and Australian rules was virtually forgotten. A small base of dedicated but aging senior players continued to play with no officials, umpires or funding. Most of the local leagues went in and out of liquidation and were all but disbanded.

1990s: International Revival[]

The nearby administration body in Cairns stepped in and commencing in 1990 there was regular competition against teams from the Cairns Australian Football League.

In 1993, PNG Rules interim chairman Vili Maha led the rebranding of the national team as the "Mosquitos".[48]

Competition in Rabaul went into hiatus in 1992, and efforts to revive the code were overshadowed by the 1994 volcanic eruption.

PNG's senior national team, the Mosquitoes, competed for the first time at the 1995 Arafura Games in Darwin, Northern Territory. The "Mosquitos" were a success, winning the gold medal by defeating New Zealand in the Grand Final. PNG players named in the World Team named at the tournament were George Kava, Willie Lipou, Thomas Gori and Tony Megea.

In 1995, after PNG's success at the Arafura Games, Ed Biggs from the then Australian Football Foundation (AFF) and Ian Collins from the AFL visited all the major Australian football centres in PNG and had discussions with officials.

PNG Rules Football Council officials were advised to draw up a three-year development plan to qualify for football development assistance. The plan was to include a summary of the current state of Rules Football in PNG, a management structure, facilities improvement, development proposals and financial estimates.

In August 1996 the Mosquitoes travelled to Perth as part of the AFL Centenary Celebrations. They played a match against the Central Desert Eagles as a curtain-raiser to a West Coast Eagles v. Carlton match. PNG 21.22 (148) defeated the Central Desert Eagles 5.8 (38).

PNG defended their gold medal at the 1997 Arafura Games, defeating New Zealand 14.9 (93) to 9.6 (60) in the final. PNG also played against the NTFL, Australian Defence Force and Central Desert Eagles as well as their international counterparts. PNG players named in the 1997 World Team were Gibson Isaiah, George Kaore, David Lucas and Willie Lipou.

In 1999 PNG again defeated New Zealand in the final at the Arafura Games. In the same year, a record 5,000 spectators attended the Wests vs Koboni Grand Final in Port Moresby.

2000s: Juniors Boom[]

In 2000 the AFL sent a Development Officer, Andrew Cadzow, to PNG. Based in Port Moresby, Cadzow also visited other regional centres.

AFL PNG was established in August 2001. AFL PNG is the representative of the AFL in PNG and has been incorporated to coordinate, support and operate Junior Development and Community-based programs relating to AFL footy in PNG. Scott Reid, Salvatore Algeri and Mel Togolo are the current Directors of AFL PNG and are responsible for establishing and promoting AFL Junior Development Programs in PNG.

PNG born Mal Michael participated in the first of three premierships with the Brisbane Lions in 2001, boosting the popularity of football enormously in the country.

In 2002, the Mosquitos finished second behind Ireland in the inaugural Australian Football International Cup.

In 2003, Alister Sioni won the AFL PNG Elite Scholarship and trained with the Brisbane Lions between 11 November and 23 December.

2005 was a big year for football in PNG. In the International Cup, the Mosquitos finished in second place behind New Zealand.

Also in 2005, AFL Queensland took AFL PNG "under its wing" to provide a pathway for PNG players to the AFL. Queensland is one of the nearest and most populous Australian states, and a result, there are now many junior and senior PNG players participating in Queensland state championships and clubs.[49] Additional funding came from Queensland since, and the Mal Michael Foundation was established in the same year to further foster PNG talent.

In October 2006, the national junior Women's Footy (U16) team, the "Karakums" became the first ever female contact sport side to represent PNG.[50]

In 2006, Papua New Guinea under 16s again won the U16s Queensland Country Championships, defeating Cairns in the Grand Final.[51] Several PNG players were selected to represent the Country Kookaburras U16s squad which lost the Grand Final to the Northern Raiders.[52] Port Moresby's Stanis Susave, became the first player from Papua New Guinea to represent the Queensland Scorpions in the under 16s.[53]

In 2007, U16 Bintangs were invited to the all-Queensland state championships, managing one win out of three by defeating the AFLQ Colts. The U14s followed.

In November, the PNG girls Under 17 squad went through the QLD state championships undefeated to take the title outright. Only Cape York were able to register a score against the junior Karakums.[54]

Outstanding PNG juniors Stanis Susuve and John James were invited to the AFL/AIS Draft Camp in November 2007.[55]

Several players to learn the game in PNG began reaching senior level in Australia in various regional and state leagues in 2007. During the year, 13 Papua New Guinean players represented the Coolangatta-Tweed Heads AFC at senior level in Division 2 of the Queensland State League since 2000, with five playing in the senior team in 2007 - David Evertius, Donald Barry, Johnny James, Emmaus Wartovo and Ali Pinda. Donald Barry, Elijah Baruai[56] and Bergmann Talingapua[57] were all recruited from PNG in 2007 to play for the Manunda Hawks in the AFL Cairns competition.

The expanding program has also seen several PNG players introduced the Sunshine Coast league[58] including Emmanuel Tupia, John Vogae, Gary Kiele and Peter Labi in 2009.[59]

In March 2008, John James became the first player from Papua New Guinea to represent Queensland in the Under 18 National Championships.[60]

In September 2008, the Mosquitos took out the International Cup in a thriller against New Zealand.

In November 2008, 17-year-old Tianen Carbry was invited to the AIS/AFL academy.[61]

In January 2009, 17-year-old was signed by the Gold Coast Football Club to play in the AFL.[62] He was followed shortly after by the Gold Coast's signing of talented junior . Both players started as junior in PNG.

In October 2009, 17-year-old Peter Labi joined the Carlton Football Club on an international scholarship.[1]

National Teams[]

Papua New Guinea's national team line up for the national anthem at the 2008 International Cup in Melbourne

PNG's national team is the Mosquitoes.

They debuted in 1973 at Under 17 level against Australia but have not played Australia since.

In 1976, PNG defeated Nauru by 129 points in front of a crowd of over 10,000 at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.[63] The team were international champions when they won the 2008 Australian Football International Cup.

The team has also tasted success in the past with a gold medal in the Arafura Games and silver at both 2002 and 2005 International Cups.

The national women's team is known as the Karakums. They have competed in Australian provincial championships and the International Cup.

Funding & Sponsorship[]

Despite having the second-highest number of players and one of the highest junior participation growth rates for the sport in the world, the sport in Papua New Guinea receives one of the lowest allocations of funding from the AFL. The international governing body provides much lower funding than South Africa despite PNG being closer and has instead insisted that AFL PNG source funds through AusAID, however this has not been forthcoming.[64] In recent years, sponsors have helped fill the void left by a lack of AFL funding. AFL PNG survives on Australian private donations and a small group of sponsors.

Major development funding comes from the following primary sources, including:

Sponsor Sponsored Amount p/a (A$) Total Years
B-Mobile National junior programs 100,000 300,000 2009–2012
Australian Football League AFL PNG 45,000 2005-
Telekom PNG Senior national team 40,000 2008-
Oil Search Limited AFL PNG ? 2006-

Leagues and Competitions[]

Competition Commenced Clubs Sides Representative side
Goroka Football League 4 Apo Stars; Asaroka; Mt Kiss; UPNG Goroka
Kimbe Football League 6 Bali Hawks; Central Magpies; SBLC Buluma; Talkom; Tamara; True West
Lae Football League
Mt Hagen Football League
Port Moresby Football League 6 Port Moresby Dockers FC; Defence; Koboni; Tisa Jets; University Bulldogs; West
Rabaul Football League* 5 Rabaul Bulldogs; Rabvol; Royals; Vunakanau; Vunapope Tigers
Eastern Highland Rules Football League
  • In hiatus

National Championships[]

The National Championships have been held since 1966. The Cleland Medal (named after Sir Donald Cleland, Australian administrator of the territories) was first awarded in 1964 is for the best and fairest player, which has at times this has been awarded across all provinces, and others for Papua or the Port Moresby League only.

Year Host/Venue National Champions Cleland Medallist/s
1964 Herea Amini (Sogeri)
Dave Tarrant[65]
1965 Ila Vele (Teachers College)[66]
1966 Papua[67] Michael Bai (Defence)[68]
1967 Papua[67] Peter Aberton (Aviat)[69]
1968 Papua[67] Vuina Wapa (Moresby)[70]
1969 Papua[67] Max Bennett (12 votes) (PIR)[71]
1970 Papua[67] Daryl Steward (13 votes) (PIR)[72]
1971 Papua[67] Vili Maha (13 votes) (Koboni)[73]
1972 Papua[67] Boga Tali (13 votes) (Aviat)
Vili Maha (13 votes) (Koboni)[74]
1973 Port Moresby[75] Papua[75] Oscar Taule (16 votes) (Koboni)[76]
1975 Lae Showgrounds Papua[77] Api Leka (14 votes) (Koboni)[78]
1976 Lae (cancelled)[79][80] - David Haro (14 votes) (NBC)[81]
1977 Lae Moresby[82] Peter Pati (22 votes) (Halgu)[83]
1978 Lae Moresby[84] William Maha (26 votes) (Koboni)[85]
1979 Lae Lae[86] James Logha (13 votes) (Boroko)[87]
1980 Madang (cancelled)[88] - Paul Sipori (22 votes) (Defence)[89]
1995 Lae
1996 NCD
1997 NCD
1998 NCD
1999 NCD
2000 Hoskins¹
2001 ²
2002 ²
2003
2004 NCD
2005 ²

¹The national titles in 2000 attracted teams from Buka, , Rabaul, Kove, Hoskins, Kimbe, Lae, Mt Hagen and National Capital District (Port Moresby). ²There were no championships staged in 2001, 2002 (due to the International Cup) or 2005 (due to the International Cup).

Governing Body[]

The governing body is the PNG Rules Football Council. The development body is AFL PNG.

Audience[]

Television[]

AFL Highlights programs are shown on PNG television, including EM TV. Live matches are broadcast on ABC Asia Pacific.

Attendance[]

Despite calls from Mal Michael to hold NAB Cup matches in Port Moresby,[90] to date no AFL level matches have ever been played in PNG, however St Kilda have played against a local representative team and Australian Rules matches played there sometimes still draw big crowds. The following are notable crowds for matches played in Papua New Guinea:

Attendance Date Match Teams Location Notes/References
10,000 1976 PNG vs Nauru Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea [91]
8,000* 1976 PNG vs North Melbourne (VFL) Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea VFL premiers North Melbourne took on PNG as a curtain raiser exhibition match[92] to the PNG vs Nauru international match[93] North Melbourne won 18-12-120 to 11-10-76
7,500 2009 Central Highlands vs Flying Boomerangs (Indigenous tour of PNG) Lae, Papua New Guinea [94]
6,000 1977 Koboni vs Moresby (Grand Final) Sir Hubert Murray Stadium , Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Final score 9-5-69 to 6-6-42[95]
5,000 1969 PNG vs St Kilda (VFL) South Pacific Oval, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Final score 9-17-61 to 1-6-12[12]
5,000 1999 Wests vs Koboni (AFL PNG Grand Final) Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea [96]
3,000 1969 Paramedical vs Busy Bees (Madang Grand Final) Madang, Territory of New Guinea [97]
2,500 2009 PNG (U18) Kupundas vs Flying Boomerangs (Indigenous tour of PNG) University of Papua New Guinea Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea [94]
2,000 1979 Rabaul vs North Solomons Rabaul [98]
1,000 1976 Port Moresby B vs Royal Australian Navy Murray Barracks, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea [22]
  • curtain raiser exhibition match

Notable players[]

Papua New Guineans have played professional and semi-professional Australian rules football in Australia, and have dominated the All-International amateur team for many years. More recently, AFL clubs have taken an interest in recruiting PNG talent.[99] However, there are major inhibitors for recruitment, mainly remains height, with many of the more talented players being under 176 cm which is typically considered too short for professional AFL, and also strict visa entry rules can limit the amount of time that PNG nationals can remain in Australia.

  • Aiden Bonar playing for Greater Western Sydney in 2019

  • Cam Ellis-Yolmen playing for Adelaide in 2019

  • James Gwilt playing for St Kilda in 2009

  • Mal Michael playing for Essendon in 2007

Currently on an AFL senior or rookie list
Player VFL/AFL Years* VFL/AFL Matches* Club played/plays for Representative teams Connections to Papua New Guinea, References
2018- - Gold Coast (NEAFL) Allies U18 (2019) / Papua New Guinea (2017) Born and raised in Gordon, Port Moresby[100] International premiership (2017); All-International (2017) (172 cm 70 kg)
Aiden Bonar 2018- 12 GWS, North Melbourne Mother[101]
Cam Ellis-Yolmen 2012- 43 Adelaide, Brisbane Indigenous All-Stars (2013, 2015) / Australia (2013) Father[102]
Gideon Simon 2013–2014 - Richmond (Coburg, VFL) Papua New Guinea (2014, 2017) Born and raised[103] International premiership (2014, 2017); All-international (2014) (172 cm 71 kg)
Brendan Beno 2011–2012 - Brisbane Lions (reserves) Papua New Guinea (2011, 2014, 2017) Born and raised in Buka, Bougainville[104] International scholarship (2011); International premiership (2014, 2017); (170 cm 62 kg)
John James Lavai 2010–2011 - Brisbane Lions (reserves) QLD Country U18 (2017) / QLD U18 (2018) / Papua New Guinea (2011, 2014 c, 2017 c) Born and raised[105] International scholarship (2011) (170 cm 62 kg) AFL/AIS Draft camp (2017)[106][107][60] International premiership (2014, 2017) All-International (2017)
David Meli 2009-2010 - Essendon Football Club (reserves) Papua New Guinea (2008, 2011, 2014) Born and raised.[108] International Rookie (2009) Recruited from Southport (AFL Queensland) (175 cm 76 kg) born 11 Sep 1992. His father, Peter, won three Arafura Games titles with the Mosquitos and played in the 2002 International Cup Grand Final side.[109] International premiership (2008, 2014)
Donald Barry 2009-2011 - Brisbane Lions (reserves) QLD U18 / Papua New Guinea (2008, 2011) Born and raised.[110] Recruited from Coolangatta (AFL Queensland State League) / Manunda Hawks (AFL Cairns). International premiership (2008); International Cup Grand Final best on ground (2008); All-International (2008). (177 cm 76 kg)
Peter Labi 2009-2010 - Carlton (reserves) QLD U16 / QLD U18 / Papua New Guinea (2008, 2011, 2014) Born and raised[111] International Scholarship (2009) (186 cm 82 kg) International premiership (2008, 2014)
Stanis Susuve 2009-2010 - Gold Coast (reserves) / Brisbane Lions (reserves) QLD U16 / QLD U18 / Papua New Guinea (2008, 2011, 2014) Born and raised. AFL/AIS Draft camp (2007) International Rookie (2009) (190 cm 80 kg) International premiership (2008, 2014) All-International (2008, 2011).[112] He originally won a scholarship to play with the Zillmere Eagles in the same competition where he once kicked a haul of 15 goals in the reserve grade premiership and won the club's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.[113][114] Represented PNG in Rugby Sevens at the 2015 Pacific Games
Amua Pirika 2009-2010 - Gold Coast (reserves) / Brisbane Lions (reserves) QLD U18 / Papua New Guinea (2014, 2017) Born and raised. Queensland Zone selection [88]; International premiership (2014, 2017); All-international (2014) (190 cm 80 kg)
James Gwilt 2005–2016 152 St Kilda, Essendon Mother[115] Father played in Port Moresby.
Alistair Sione 2003–2004 - Brisbane Papua New Guinea (2005, 2008) Born and raised in West New Britain[116] International scholarship (2003); All-International (2005, 2008); International premiership (2008)
Mal Michael 1997–2008 238 Collingwood, Brisbane, Essendon Pacific Islands team (2009) Born (Port Moresby); Mother[117] Father played in Port Moresby.
Winis Imbi 1997-1998 - Essendon Football Club (reserves), North Melbourne Football Club (rookie), Ballarat Rebels Papua New Guinea (2011) Born[118] #19 Rookie 1997 (172cm)
Ben Sexton 1991–1996 43 Footscray, Carlton Born[119]
Michael Sexton 1990–2000 200 Carlton Born (Lae)[120]
Gimana Guma 1973 - South Melbourne (reserves) Papua New Guinea (1975) Recruited from Koboni
Vili Maha 1973 - South Melbourne (reserves) Papua New Guinea (1976) Recruited from Koboni
Herea Amini 1964 - Melbourne (reserves) Papua New Guinea (1975, 1976) Recruited from Koboni[9]


Currently on an AFLW senior or rookie list
Player AFLW Years* AFLW Matches* Club played/plays for Connections to Papua New Guinea, References
2021 - Brisbane Mother[121][122]

Other Notable Players[]

  • Navu Maha - (172 cm 80 kg) Maha trained with the South Melbourne Swans VFL team in Melbourne in the 1980s. He became captain of the Mosquitos during the 2002 and 2005 International Cups and two time All-International who has also represented Papua New Guinea in cricket.
  • Marcus Bai - an Aussie Rules junior who went on to become a standout rugby league player.
  • Alister Sioni - (185 cm 80 kg) a West New Britain player who won a scholarship and was invited to train with the Brisbane Lions in the pre-season of 2003, has also played in AFL Cairns seniors and was named in the 2005 All-International team.[123] He captained the Mosquitos for the 2008 International Cup where he received a premiership medal.
  • James Imbi - (180 cm) the younger brother of Winis Imbi was also born in PNG and played with Winis at Portland since 2005. After trying out with the Sturt Football Club in the South Australian National Football League in 2004, Imbi went to the Palmerston Football Club in the Northern Territory Football League where he plays in the off-season. By round 8, 2005, Imbi had led in the ABC NTFL player of the year count with 11 votes.[124] In 2007, like his brother, he won the Western Border Football League best and fairest.[125]
  • Jerry Frank - played 13 years for the Palmerston Football Club in the Northern Territory Football League as a defender before retiring in 2007. Born in Port Moresby to a Papuan father and Torres Strait Islands mother he was a member of eight NT representative sides and played against a number of AFL clubs including Collingwood, Fremantle, Brisbane and also WAFL clubs.[126]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ International -2020 AFL Annual Report
  2. ^ It’s PNG by 129 points. PNG Post Courier. 21 Sep 1976 Page 24
  3. ^ SPORTS FLASHES. The Guinea Gold. Page 3. 27 May 1943
  4. ^ 29/46th infantry battalion and 37/52nd infantry battalion played at Deslandes sports oval in front of a sizeable crowd of natives. Source 074980 Australian War Memorial
  5. ^ Australian War Memorial 099009
  6. ^ Australian War Memorial 099811
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c http://www.pngaa.net/Photo_Gallery/NGFL/index.html>New Archived 1 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine Guinea National Football League
  8. ^ Port Moresby ex-pats kick on after 50 years The Standard. MARCH 3 2014
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b Koboni's colourful memories PNG National December 15, 2015
  10. ^ RULES CHALLENGE FROM AUSTRALIA Page 22. 9 Mar 1971
  11. ^ "Injuries force Rules sides to make changes" Pg.32 Post Courier, 8 Oct 1969
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b "Papua down to St.Kilda but not disgraced" Page 32 Post-Courier, 9 Oct 1969
  13. ^ "Ted on Footy Tour" Pg.23 Post-Courier, Tue 4 Nov 1969
  14. ^ PNG Post-Courier Fri 7 Oct 1977 Page 59
  15. ^ Kavieng to get Aussie Rules? PNG Post Courier. 6 Apr 1970 Page 20
  16. ^ "13 TEAMS IN LAE RULES" Pg.54 Post-Courier. Fri 2 Apr 1971
  17. ^ "Goroka Rules" Pg. 50 Post-Courier Fri 5 Mar 1971
  18. ^ BRIAN'S DONE A GOOD DEAL IN AUSTRALIAN RULES 12 Sep 1975 Page 49
  19. ^ pg.10 The Canberra TimesMon 7 Oct 1974
  20. ^ Two players train with S. Melbourne Fri 23 Feb 1973 PNG Post-Courier Page 47
  21. ^ Papua New Guinea Post-Courier Fri 5 Apr 1974
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b "Australia Beaten at Own Game" Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Thu 18 Sep 1975
  23. ^ Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 17 Sep 1976 Page 26
  24. ^ NORTH TOO GOOD BUT PNG IMPRESS. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 11 Oct 1976 Page 20 NORTH TOO GOOD BUT PNG IMPRESS
  25. ^ PNG PLAYERS TO TRAIN IN MELBOURNE. PNG Post Courier. Page 59 Fri 3 Mar 1978
  26. ^ Sheehan predicts big future Fri 10 Nov 1978 Page 64
  27. ^ Invited to Australian knockout? Post Courier 8 Mar 1977 Page 32
  28. ^ PNG rules side chosen. PNG Post Courier. 15 Jun 1977 Page 28
  29. ^ It's PNG by 129 points. PNG Post Courier. 21 Sep 1976 Page 24
  30. ^ Full Points Footy 1977 to 1980 Archived 10 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  31. ^ Gold Coast win rules PNG Post-Courier Mon 26 Jun 1978 Page 23 Gold Coast win rules
  32. ^ "Rules booming in PNG" Pg.39 Post-Courier Wed 12 Apr 1978
  33. ^ PNG PLAYERS TO TRAIN IN MELBOURNE PNG Post-Courier Fri 3 Mar 1978
  34. ^ EYE- OPENER FOR WEWAK RULES STARS Page 29 11 Oct 1978
  35. ^ Rules Job to Hawks Man 19 May 1978 Page 63
  36. ^ Post-Courier. Wed 25 Oct 1978 Pg.43 GEELONG ROVER ON COACHING TOUR
  37. ^ "Rules Boss Goes South" Post-Courier. Pg.30 Thu 14 Feb 1980
  38. ^ PNG Hand out Rules Dumping. PNG Post-Courier Mon 1 Oct 1979
  39. ^ Qld surprised by rules class PNG Post-Courier Fri 5 Oct 1979 Page 58
  40. ^ Post-Courier. Fri 5 Dec 1980 Page 62 AUSSIE RULES SETS NEW MARK
  41. ^ "PNG need good rucks for Gold Coast" Pg.30 Post-Courier. Thu 19 Jun 1980
  42. ^ "PNG go down in rep rules" Pg.39 Post-Courier Wed 2 Jul 1980
  43. ^ Rules titles axed by airfare rise. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 18 Feb 1980 Page 24
  44. ^ Fitness is vital in sport Fri 24 Apr 1981 Page 34
  45. ^ RULES, LEAGUE OUT Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 21 May 1979 Page 19
  46. ^ ‘Junior ’ rugby. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 2 Jun 1978 Page 2
  47. ^ PUSH FOR SEASON CHANGE Thu 29 Jan 1981 Page 32
  48. ^ Mosquitos launched PNG Post-Courier Fri 3 Sep 1993 Page 20
  49. ^ AFL Queensland adopts AFL-PNG Archived 7 February 2006 at the Wayback Machine Article from the National
  50. ^ AFL PNG :: pure AFL . . . purely Papua New Guinea Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  51. ^ Binatangs dominate Queensland Country Championships Archived 25 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine by Brett Northey for World Footy News 4 May 2006
  52. ^ Three PNG Under 18s selected for Country Kookaburras Archived 25 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine by Brett Northey for World Footy News 3 May 200
  53. ^ Australia Post U16 Young Scorpions squad named[permanent dead link]
  54. ^ World Footy News - PNG U16 Girls are Qld State Champs! Archived 25 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  55. ^ PNG Juniors at AFL/AIS Draft Camp Archived 25 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  56. ^ AFL PNG :: pure AFL . . . purely Papua New Guinea Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  57. ^ Footy recruit in trouble Archived 14 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  58. ^ PNG teens to play footy for Nambour from the SunCoast daily
  59. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  60. ^ Jump up to: a b SportingPulse Homepage for AFL Queensland Archived 3 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  61. ^ International juniors head for AIS and Junior Oceania Cup Archived 25 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  62. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  63. ^ It's PNG by 129 points. PNG Post Courier. 21 Sep 1976 Page 24
  64. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 25 May 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  65. ^ CLELAND MEDAL SHARED BY TALI, MAHA. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 10 Aug 1972 Page 24
  66. ^ VELE TO COACH REP SIDE. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 5 May 1977 Page 21
  67. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Papua after 8th title in rules. PNG Post Courier. 8 Jun 1973. Page 48
  68. ^ Michael's starring on only one leg Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 16 Jul 1975 Page 27
  69. ^ Aviat star out for two weeks. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 29 Jul 1971 Page 28
  70. ^ Papua's coach satisfied with Rules 'workout'. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 30 Sep 1969 Page 23
  71. ^ Cleland Medal awarded to Max Bennett. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 23 Jul 1969 Page 32
  72. ^ DARYL STEWART TAKES CLELAND MEDAL. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 4 Aug 1970 Page 24
  73. ^ Maha best in Papuan. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 11 Aug 1971 Page 36
  74. ^ CLELAND MEDAL SHARED BY TALI, MAHA. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 10 Aug 1972 Page 24
  75. ^ Jump up to: a b PAPUA ON TOP IN AUST RULES. PNG Post Courier. Page 23. 12 Jun 1973
  76. ^ TAULE WINS RULES MEDAL Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 10 Aug 1973 Page 52
  77. ^ Easy win for Papuan rules team. PNG Post Courier. Mon 21 Jul 1975 Page 20
  78. ^ Best and fairest to Leka. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 1 Sep 1975 Page 15
  79. ^ Lae rules title is called off Papua New Guinea Post-Courier4 Aug 1976 Page 25
  80. ^ NATIONAL RULES CARNIVAL OFF Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 20 Aug 1976 Page 50
  81. ^ NBC's David Haro takes out the Cleland Medal. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 9 Sep 1976 Page 23
  82. ^ Thank you SP. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 29 Jun 1977 Page 14
  83. ^ Pati’s 10 top games win Cleland Medal. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 2 Sep 1977 Page 51
  84. ^ 25 - MAN NATIONAL Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 22 Jun 1978 Page 27
  85. ^ Third Cleland for Maha family. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 31 Aug 1978 Page 36
  86. ^ LAE BEAT CAPITAL IN FINAL OF RULES. PNG Post Courier. 18 Sep 1979 Page 31
  87. ^ Logha has excellent season. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 22 Aug 1979 Page 39
  88. ^ Rules titles axed by airfare rise. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 18 Feb 1980 Page 24
  89. ^ SIPORI WINS RULES TOP HONOR. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 11 Sep 1980 Page 35
  90. ^ Michael dreams of game in PNG Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  91. ^ It's PNG by 129 points. PNG Post Courier. 21 Sep 1976 Page 24
  92. ^ Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 17 Sep 1976 Page 26
  93. ^ NORTH TOO GOOD BUT PNG IMPRESS. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 11 Oct 1976 Page 20 NORTH TOO GOOD BUT PNG IMPRESS
  94. ^ Jump up to: a b http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/2009041421481397
  95. ^ Koboni surge to 7th premiership Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 19 Sep 1977 Page 22
  96. ^ IAFC
  97. ^ Paramed are tops in Rules. PNG Post Courier. 4 Sep 1969. Page 36
  98. ^ MATCH FITNESS DECIDES RULES. PNG Post Courier. 11 Apr 1979. Page 38
  99. ^ AFL clubs look to PNG for talent Archived 18 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine from the Post Courier
  100. ^ https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/afl/papua-new-guinea-footballer-hewago-oea-edging-closer-to-afl-dream-with-gold-coast-suns/news-story/3884ccce8973ba7954ae36b9970ff3e6
  101. ^ https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-gws-rookie-helping-grow-afl-in-papua-new-guinea
  102. ^ "Footballer and Painter", Our Sporting Life SA, 31 January 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  103. ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-09/an-png-gideon-simon-drafted-by-richmond/4302310?section=sport
  104. ^ It's been a long road to the top for the boy from Bougainville
  105. ^ It's been a long road to the top for the boy from Bougainville
  106. ^ World Footy News - PNG Juniors at AFL/AIS Draft Camp
  107. ^ Future Coast stars to stake claims
  108. ^ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/localfooty/tigers-snap-up-david-meli/story-fn53khop-1226085027390
  109. ^ http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/meli-honours-his-fathers-legacy-20110824-1jabi.html
  110. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 November 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  111. ^ http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/jul/21/coast-connection-helps-eagles-aflq/
  112. ^ Panthers crush Suncoast Archived 11 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  113. ^ Thank you Mum for everything[permanent dead link] from thenational.com.pg
  114. ^ PNG Players making their mark Archived 29 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  115. ^ Gwilt trip: the road less travelled from The Australian
  116. ^ International Cup's Mosquitoes' chance to follow idol
  117. ^ AFL stars shine Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine from postcourier.com.pg
  118. ^ [PNG's Winis revered footballer on western border https://www.pngattitude.com/2009/06/pngs-inis-a-revered-footballer-in-the-western-border.html]
  119. ^ http://www.smh.com.au/news/AFL/Young-Saint-who-came-from-left-field/2005/02/24/1109180047276.html
  120. ^ https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/54210/carltons-international-xviii
  121. ^ https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/dalby/afl-star-shines-at-nationals/news-story/85e635c8d90bef6a4df60c930ecbb109
  122. ^ https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/tag/zimmorlei-farquharson-queensland/
  123. ^ International Cup's Mosquitoes' chance to follow idol
  124. ^ ABC NTFL Player of the Year
  125. ^ Mail Medalists 2007
  126. ^ Frank retires with nothing else to prove from aboriginalfootball.com

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