Australian rules football in Papua New Guinea

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}

{{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}}

{{Sport overview

| country = Papua New Guinea

| sport = Australian rules football

| image = Png victory 3.jpg

| imagesize = 260px

| caption = Papua New Guinea's Mosquitos celebrate taking the International Cup from New Zealand to become International champions in 2008.

| union = PNG Rules Football Council

| nickname =

| first = 1943, Port Moresby

| registered = 1,920 (adult) 45,000 (junior){{cite web| url = https://png.embassy.gov.au/pmsb/627.html| title = AFL PNG receives donated equipment from Australia for its sporting programs}} Australian High Commission to Papua New Guinea

| clubs =

| match = 10,000 (1976) PNG vs Nauru Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, Port MoresbyIt’s PNG by 129 points. PNG Post Courier. 21 Sep 1976 Page 24

| league =

| national_list =

| club_list = 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

}}

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), Australian rules football (typically referred to as "rules", "rules football", "footy", or less commonly "Aussie rules", "AFL rules", "AFL", or "football") is a developing team sport which was initially introduced by Australian servicemen during World War II. The governing body for the sport is the PNG Rules Football Council, with the development body being AFL PNG. The junior development version is known locally as Niukick. Regionally, AFL PNG is affiliated with AFL South Pacific with an Australian development pathway through AFL Queensland.

It is home to the longest running league outside Australia, the Port Moresby Australian Rules Football League (or POM AFL), founded in 1955. Prior to independence from Australia the sport boomed in the 1960s and 70s, Rules was a major spectator and participation sport and the standard of representatives sides from PNG reached a level close to that of the semi-professional leagues in Australia. PNG proved to be highly competitive against VFL clubs and internationally against Australia, Indigenous Australia and Nauru. The national team's first full international match against Nauru attracted 10,000 to Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby which remains the world record for an international representative match in the sport. This golden age ended abruptly in 1981 after a failed restructuring of football operations by Australian interests, poor junior performance in the Teal Cup and the withdrawal of funding causing a total collapse of the sport. This resulted in other codes of football particularly Rugby League and soccer rapidly outgrowing it. Nevertheless, Rules has seen a major revival since the 1990s.

The national 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. The PNG Muruks, the country's only AFL Asia affiliated club, has won the Asian Australian Football Championships in its respective divisions every year since 2018.[https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-afl-muruks-win-fourth-asian-title/ AFL Muruks win fourth Asian title] 2 September 2024

Players of Papua New Guinean heritage have played professionally in the Australian Football League, the most famous of which is "king" Mal Michael who holds the AFL games and goals record for a Papuan born player. More recently, a pathway from AFL PNG to the AFL, mainly through AFL Queensland has been established providing a source of talent for clubs in Australia. The pathway resulted in Hewago Oea, in 2022, becoming the first Papuan to debut in the AFL who learned to play the game locally.

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

History

=Beginnings=

File:4115253_C55221_vfl_afl_players_15th_Brigade.jpg 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)]]

Image:Australian rules football team of the 22nd works company in lae new guinea.jpg

File:Army Australian rules football match at Bougainville from Tribune 23 August 1945.png

There was awareness of the sport early in the 20th Century, with mentions of it in the media dating back to the 1920s, including reports on the QAFL, NSWAFL, NTFL and VFL from the 1940s however it was not played locally.

In May 1943, serving in the Territory of Papua during the New Guinea campaign began an informal league which were among the earliest recorded matches in Papua New Guinea. The league consisted of teams including Konedobu, Wirraways, Razorback, Strafers, Wallabies, Pioneers, Bower Birds, Ack-Redians, John's Gully.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250625627 |title=R.A.A.F. FOOTBALL AND CRICKET COMPETITION |newspaper=Guinea Gold |volume=1 |issue=225 |location=International, Australia |date=30 June 1943 |accessdate=12 July 2022 |page=3 (AUSTRALIAN EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250625217 |title=NEW GUINEA WEEK-END FOOTBALL GAMES |newspaper=Guinea Gold |volume=1 |issue=217 |location=International, Australia |date=22 June 1943 |accessdate=12 July 2022 |page=3 (AUSTRALIAN EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}} On 29 April 1943, an RAAF team held a secret training session.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250541259 |title=Turf Gossip And Sports Flashes |newspaper=Guinea Gold |volume=1 |issue=163 |location=International, Australia |date=29 April 1943 |accessdate=12 July 2022 |page=3 (AUSTRALIAN EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}} Its first match was held that weekend on the 1st May.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250541353 |title=SPORTS FLASHES |newspaper=Guinea Gold |volume=1 |issue=165 |location=International, Australia |date=1 May 1943 |accessdate=12 July 2022 |page=3 (AUSTRALIAN EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}} Another higher profile match was held on the 5 May 1943 featuring several notable Australian players.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250541557 |title=Spotlight On Sportsmen |newspaper=Guinea Gold |volume=1 |issue=169 |location=International, Australia |date=5 May 1943 |accessdate=12 July 2022 |page=3 (AUSTRALIAN EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}} On Saturday 22 May 1943, RAAF Wirraways 13-10 defeated Razorback 9–8.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250542343 |title=Spotlight On Sportsmen |newspaper=Guinea Gold |volume=1 |issue=188 |location=International, Australia |date=24 May 1943 |accessdate=12 July 2022 |page=3 (AUSTRALIAN EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}} On the 30 May 1943, John's Gully R.A.A.F. Australian Rules football team against a Waigani Road team at the

Gully Oval, the R.A.A.F. Wirraway Australian Rules football team also called for opponents.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250542639 |title=SPORTS FLASHES |newspaper=Guinea Gold |volume=1 |issue=194 |location=International, Australia |date=30 May 1943 |accessdate=12 July 2022 |page=3 (AUSTRALIAN EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}} Other teams included Regiment and Con. Depot.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250627871 |title=SPORTS FLASHES |newspaper=Guinea Gold |volume=1 |issue=273 |location=International, Australia |date=17 August 1943 |accessdate=22 July 2022 |page=3 (AUSTRALIAN EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}}

In the Territory of New Guinea, one of the earliest recorded matches was held in the capital Lae and the inland town of Nagada in 1944 by Australian school teachers and defence force personnel.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

In November 1945, a match was played between Victoria and "The Rest" at Torokina, Bougainville.Australian War Memorial 099009

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.Australian War Memorial 099811 The HMAS Arunta Australian rules football team also played matches on Rabaul against Flotilla.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130855446 |title=PASSING BY |newspaper=The News |volume=47 |issue=7,150 |location=South Australia |date=3 July 1946 |accessdate=12 August 2022 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}

The Port Moresby Australian Rules Football League began in Port Moresby in 1955, quickly becomg the most prominent competition in Papua.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250396987 |title=PRESENTING PORT MORESBY'S '56 ALL STARS |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=3 September 1975 |accessdate=12 July 2022 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In 1956, Papua's first representative side was assembled, defeating regional representative sides from both Cairns and Innisfail in Far North Queensland.

=1960s: Rules Booms=

The game was seldom played until regular matches were played in Papua between Australians at Boroko Rugby League Oval, Port Moresby in 1961.{{cite web| url = http://www.pngaa.net/Photo_Gallery/NGFL/index.html| title = NEW GUINEA NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE| access-date = 4 December 2006| archive-date = 1 April 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160401235651/http://www.pngaa.net/Photo_Gallery/NGFL/index.html| url-status = dead}}>New Guinea National Football League Matches were also played in Lae. 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 the 8 team competition.{{cite web| url = https://www.standard.net.au/story/2122917/port-moresby-ex-pats-kick-on-after-50-years| title = Port Moresby ex-pats kick on after 50 years| date = 3 March 2014}} The Standard. MARCH 3 2014

One of the first schools to take up the game was Sogeri Secondary College in the Central Province which was founded by the Australian Defence Force. The school team was known as the Magpies and wore the colours of the Collingwood Football Club{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109894940 |title=TRAINING TO BE AN OFFICER |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=37 |issue=10,571 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=25 June 1963 |accessdate=15 June 2023 |page=25 |via=National Library of Australia}} In 1963 it would become the first side composed primarily of Papuans to win a Port Moresby senior premiership and would go on to be the country's strongest school in the sport, producing many great footballers for the senior competition. In the same year, the sport was spreading in the Western Highlands Province and East Sepik Province with Wewak hosting its first representative match against Mount Hagen.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article266900947 |title=A. Rules too |newspaper=Australian Army |volume=4 |issue=22 |location=Australia, Australia |date=30 May 1963 |accessdate=15 June 2023 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}

The Cleland Medal was first awarded to the league's player. The 1964 winner was local grown player Herea Amini, of Sogeri College, who was rewarded with a flight to Melbourne to play for 2 weeks with the VFL's Demons.{{cite web| url = https://www.thenational.com.pg/koboni%E2%80%99s-colourful-memories/| title = Koboni's colourful memories }} PNG National December 15, 2015 Amini returned from Melbourne to found the Koboni Football Club, adopting the colours and moniker of the Melbourne Football Club in 1965, and Koboni Demons remain Papua New Guinea's longest running club.

There was an annual football carnival between Papua, New Guinea and the New Guinea Islands. In 1967 it was held in Rabaul and in 1968 it was hosted by Lae. File:Port Moresby Australia Rules team 1967.jpg

File:Army Australia Rules Team Port Moresby 1968.jpg

In 1969 Papua New Guinea sent its first touring side to compete against the Mount Isa league in Queensland for a "North of Australia Championship", played three games and won two of them.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250351509 |title=RULES CHALLENGE FROM AUSTRALIA |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=9 March 1971 |accessdate=26 September 2021 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In 1969 on 8 October a touring St Kilda football team from the Victorian Football League (VFL) coached by Allan Jeans"Injuries force Rules sides to make changes" Pg.32 Post Courier, 8 Oct 1969 visited Port Moresby defeated a composite national PNG team at the South Pacific Oval 9-17-61 to 1-6-12"Papua down to St.Kilda but not disgraced" Page 32 Post-Courier, 9 Oct 1969 It was the first time the new Hubert Murray Stadium was used for Australian Rules, and was played under lights in front of a large crowd.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250294399 |title=Aviat-Koboni to clash in night match |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=16 May 1972 |accessdate=14 June 2023 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}

VFL great Ted Whitten, excited about the growth of the game in the highlands visited Madang; Mount Hagen; Goroka; Wewak, and Kieta in November of that year, showing locals video footage from the Richmond vs Carlton VFL Grand Final."Ted on Footy Tour" Pg.23 Post-Courier, Tue 4 Nov 1969 A combined Gold Coast side toured PNG winning by a point.PNG Post-Courier Fri 7 Oct 1977 Page 59

Extensive growth was seen in 1970 with a new 4 team league in New Ireland established.Kavieng to get Aussie Rules? PNG Post Courier. 6 Apr 1970 Page 20 In Morobe and the Eastern highlands in 1971 the game was booming, with the Lae league expanding to 13 teams"13 TEAMS IN LAE RULES" Pg.54 Post-Courier. Fri 2 Apr 1971 and the Goroka league expanding in 1971 to 8 clubs."Goroka Rules" Pg. 50 Post-Courier Fri 5 Mar 1971

In 1972, organised by Brian Fry, schoolboy competition began, helping boost junior player numbers.BRIAN'S DONE A GOOD DEAL IN AUSTRALIAN RULES 12 Sep 1975 Page 49

By 1973, Bougainville had an 8 team league up and running including Essential Services, Concentrator, Mining, Clerks, CFC, Apprentices, PDF, Hitech.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250747222 |title=Bougainville rules ladder |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=28 June 1973 |accessdate=21 June 2023 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}

=1970s: International success=

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.pg.10 The Canberra TimesMon 7 Oct 1974 Sogeri Secondary's team travelled to Melbourne and handed its most prestigious football school, Scotch College, a massive defeat.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article251224325 |title=Sogeri star in Melbourne |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=2 October 1973 |accessdate=15 June 2023 |page=19 |via=National Library of Australia}}

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 gamesTwo players train with S. Melbourne Fri 23 Feb 1973 PNG Post-Courier Page 47 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.Papua New Guinea Post-Courier Fri 5 Apr 1974

In 1975 Port Moresby B-side defeated the visiting Royal Australian Navy team in front of a crowd of 1,000 spectators."Australia Beaten at Own Game" Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Thu 18 Sep 1975

In October 1976, North Melbourne (VFL) toured and played against PNG at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in front of a crowd of 8,000 spectatorsPapua New Guinea Post-Courier 17 Sep 1976 Page 26NORTH TOO GOOD BUT PNG IMPRESS. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 11 Oct 1976 Page 20 NORTH TOO GOOD BUT PNG IMPRESS 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.PNG PLAYERS TO TRAIN IN MELBOURNE. PNG Post Courier. Page 59 Fri 3 Mar 1978Sheehan predicts big future Fri 10 Nov 1978 Page 64

The first ever national side was named in 1976.PNG rules side chosen. PNG Post Courier. 15 Jun 1977 Page 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.It's PNG by 129 points. PNG Post Courier. 21 Sep 1976 Page 24

In 1977 based on the competitiveness against top VFL sides the governing body, the NFL put forward a proposal for a Papua New Guinea team to enter its knockout NFL Night Series tournament.Invited to Australian knockout? Post Courier 8 Mar 1977 Page 32 At the time there were several leagues across the country, including Port Moresby, Goroka, Lae, Madang, Rabaul and Wewak.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article251052464 |title=Advertising |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=29 April 1977 |accessdate=12 July 2022 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}

1977 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.

In August 1977 Victoria's best U17 side 10.17(76) defeated PNG 5.11(41) at Hubert Murray Stadium in front of a crowd of 4,000 spectators.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article251050614 |title=Minister note lift in standard |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=25 August 1977 |accessdate=14 June 2023 |page=26 |via=National Library of Australia}} In the reciprical 1978 tour Papua New Guinea came within two goals of Australia at Football Park in Adelaide.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250162289 |title=AUSSIES OUT DO PNG |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=8 June 1978 |accessdate=3 November 2021 |page=26 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Also in 1977, a visiting Gold Coast side, topped up this time with players from Victoria and Tasmania, were defeated by a Port Moresby 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.Gold Coast win rules PNG Post-Courier Mon 26 Jun 1978 Page 23 Gold Coast win rules

=VFL raids senior 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."Rules booming in PNG" Pg.39 Post-Courier Wed 12 Apr 1978 Fitzroy flew William Maha and Peter Pati to train with the club and play in the reserves, North Melbourne picked David Haro and Mea VuiPNG PLAYERS TO TRAIN IN MELBOURNE PNG Post-Courier Fri 3 Mar 1978 while Hawthorn in October flew in Ambrose Vaki and Peter Pati from Wewak as well as Port Moresby's Martin Tulungan and Tamo Vele.EYE- OPENER FOR WEWAK RULES STARS Page 29 11 Oct 1978 Kevin Sheehan, newly appointed VFL promotional officer, visited Madang; Goroka, Lae, Rabaul, Kieta, Arawa and Port Moresby on November 9.Post-Courier. Wed 25 Oct 1978 Pg.43 GEELONG ROVER ON COACHING TOUR

The senior men's national team coached by Teio Ila was still on a high, thrashing a North Queensland representative side in Cairns by 61 points,PNG Hand out Rules Dumping. PNG Post-Courier Mon 1 Oct 1979 leading to the Cairns matches becoming an annual event.Qld surprised by rules class PNG Post-Courier Fri 5 Oct 1979 Page 58

=1980s: Australia takes control, ambitious new structure crumbles=

The National Football League from Australia assumed control of PNG football operations and appointed Peter Evans as full-time manager to the PNG Rules Football Council in May 1978.Rules Job to Hawks Man 19 May 1978 Page 63 Evans began a major and rapid restructure of football operations which largely ignored senior club and representative competition in favour of junior development. The PNG Rules Football Council was renamed the PNG Australian Rules Football Council and he set out to point out the ignorance of local players to the rules in an effort to eliminate any violence{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250285768 |title=RULES FOR RULES |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=9 March 1979 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=63 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250174994 |title=CRACKDOWN ON RULES VIOLENCE |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=17 January 1979 |accessdate=21 June 2023 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}} though the reverse occurred, with violence under the new administration dramatically increasing to a point where it was almost out of control, with several notable incidents of striking of umpires occurring and life bans instituted.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250595804 |title=RULES PLAYER OUTED |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=10 June 1980 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=39 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250592882 |title=UMPIRE ATTACKED |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=2 June 1980 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250594863 |title=FOOTBALL FANS RIOT |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=19 May 1980 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250712916 |title=Umpire KO'd in rules bust-up |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=29 June 1981 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}} The administration also banned players from national selection if their league refused to affiliate with the new administration, causing significant discontent with players outside of the national capital.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250597800 |title=Rules players may miss selection |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=28 May 1980 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=44 |via=National Library of Australia}} The senior men's national championships were cancelled{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250585961 |title=Rules titles axed by airfare rise |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=18 February 1980 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}} and funds diverted so that Evans, using his position as PNG National Sports Secretary, could fly a junior squad to Hobart in 1979 to participate in the Teal Cup (Australian Under 17 Championship). The team suffered humiliating defeats at the hands of the ACT, New South Wales and South Australia which was widely reported as a failure in the local media.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250619883 |title=PNG LEARN RULES — THE HARD WAY |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=19 June 1979 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}} Shortly following the tournament Evans resigned to become Tasmanian Football League chief administrator."Rules Boss Goes South" Post-Courier. Pg.30 Thu 14 Feb 1980 and management of the now financially destitue administration was handed to local player William Maha. The NFL's Victorian chief John Warren visited in 1980{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250601290 |title=Aussie kicks rules along |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=10 July 1980 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=30 |via=National Library of Australia}} promising a A$100,000 injection of funds and sponsorship from Rothmans International and admission to the council though along with high expectations of the underresourced local competition for coaches, umpires and ground upgrades.Post-Courier. Fri 5 Dec 1980 Page 62 AUSSIE RULES SETS NEW MARK Warren was openly critical of all administrators, playing style and coaches involved in the game outside of Port Moresby.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250602366 |title=COACHING OF RULES POOR |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=31 July 1980 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=35 |via=National Library of Australia}} PNG was, however, (unlike the Northern Territory) never admitted as a full-voting member.

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. With the withdrawal of the NFL and VFL from Papua New Guinea, the governing body dropped all reference to Australia in its name and reverted to the PNG Rules Football Council. To make matters worse, while rules was being banned from schools, soccer, despite not attracting an audience received more than double the funding for junior development, with Rules now attracting less than softball and netball.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article251066513 |title=SOCCER GETS MOST CASH |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=2 December 1980 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=28 |via=National Library of Australia}} Rules officials lamented that while the sport in 1981 was still the third most popular in the country, having not participated in any senior international matches since 1978, its recognition as a sport at national level had all but ceased.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250698823 |title=Letters to the Editor... |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=1 May 1981 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}} Unlike the NFL, 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."PNG need good rucks for Gold Coast" Pg.30 Post-Courier. Thu 19 Jun 1980 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."PNG go down in rep rules" Pg.39 Post-Courier Wed 2 Jul 1980 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.Rules titles axed by airfare rise. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 18 Feb 1980 Page 24 Regional leagues were left with crippling debts threatening the future of the national championships.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250706814 |title=Lae champs' dept threat |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=4 June 1981 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=32 |via=National Library of Australia}} Soccer and rugby league were being promoted as safer options than Rules, with much lower injury ratesFitness is vital in sport Fri 24 Apr 1981 Page 34 and several provinces banned Rules from schools out of concern for student welfare due to increasing violence.RULES, LEAGUE OUT Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 21 May 1979 Page 19 Most notably, Morobe Province banned the sport altogether in schools.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250619109 |title=SPORT BRIEFS |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=12 June 1979 |accessdate=21 June 2023 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}} The rapid decline of junior development and the focus on senior talent was lamented.‘Junior ’ rugby. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 2 Jun 1978 Page 2 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.PUSH FOR SEASON CHANGE Thu 29 Jan 1981 Page 32

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 Rules was virtually forgotten. A small base of dedicated but ageing 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".Mosquitos launched PNG Post-Courier Fri 3 Sep 1993 Page 20

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: The Mal Michael Effect and Junior Boom=

Papua New Guinea born Mal Michael, with strong indigenous and community links, began playing in the AFL in 1997 and his career raised significant interest, spurring a rekindling of junior interest and numbers.

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.{{cite web| url = http://www.thenational.com.pg/0322/sports2.htm| title = AFL Queensland adopts AFL-PNG| access-date = 18 May 2006| archive-date = 7 February 2006| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060207004819/http://www.thenational.com.pg/0322/sports2.htm| url-status = dead}} Article from the National 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.afl-png.com/kurakums.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200922/http://www.afl-png.com/kurakums.html|url-status=dead|title=AFL PNG :: pure AFL . . . purely Papua New Guinea|archivedate=27 September 2007}}

In 2006, Papua New Guinea under 16s again won the U16s Queensland Country Championships, defeating Cairns in the Grand Final.{{cite web| url = http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20060427090823645| title = Binatangs dominate Queensland Country Championships| access-date = 4 December 2006| archive-date = 25 May 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130525005627/http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20060427090823645| url-status = dead}} by Brett Northey for World Footy News 4 May 2006 Several PNG players were selected to represent the Country Kookaburras U16s squad which lost the Grand Final to the Northern Raiders.{{cite web| url = http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20050312232744250| title = Three PNG Under 18s selected for Country Kookaburras| access-date = 4 December 2006| archive-date = 25 May 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130525005517/http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20050312232744250| url-status = dead}} by Brett Northey for World Footy News 3 May 200

Port Moresby's Stanis Susave, became the first player from Papua New Guinea to represent the Queensland Scorpions in the under 16s.{{cite web| url = http://aflq.com.au/default.aspx?s=genericnewsdisplay&kw=54&aid=106624| title = Australia Post U16 Young Scorpions squad named}}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20071112142512205|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525005309/http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20071112142512205|url-status=dead|title=PNG U16 Girls are Qld State Champs! - World Footy News|archivedate=25 May 2013|website=www.worldfootynews.com}}

Outstanding PNG juniors Stanis Susuve and John James were invited to the AFL/AIS Draft Camp in November 2007.{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20071212181100735|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525005418/http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20071212181100735|url-status=dead|title=PNG Juniors at AFL/AIS Draft Camp - World Footy News|archivedate=25 May 2013|website=www.worldfootynews.com}}

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{{Cite web|url=http://www.afl-png.com/ants.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200916/http://www.afl-png.com/ants.html|url-status=dead|title=AFL PNG :: pure AFL . . . purely Papua New Guinea|archivedate=27 September 2007}} and Bergmann Talingapua{{Cite web|url=https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns?nk=c2db87b835e2e2735c51365496bb10ee-1634875196|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214150106/http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/03/12/2223_local-news.html|url-status=dead|title=Cairns | The Cairns Post|archivedate=14 February 2012|website=www.cairnspost.com.au}} 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{{cite web| url = http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2007/nov/09/png-teens-play-footy-nambour| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120912055938/http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2007/nov/09/png-teens-play-footy-nambour| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2012-09-12| title = PNG teens to play footy for Nambour}} from the SunCoast daily including Emmanuel Tupia, John Vogae, Gary Kiele and Peter Labi in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2009/feb/13/suncoast-power-draw-talent-afar/ |title=Power draw talent from afar | Sunshine Coast Sport | Local Sports in Sunshine Coast | Sunshine Coast Daily |access-date=2009-04-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912005617/http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2009/feb/13/suncoast-power-draw-talent-afar/ |archive-date=12 September 2012}}

In March 2008, John James became the first player from Papua New Guinea to represent Queensland in the Under 18 National Championships.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-4711-0-0-0&sID=56333&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=5209284§ionID=56333|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603170853/http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-4711-0-0-0&sID=56333&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=5209284§ionID=56333|url-status=dead|title=SportingPulse Homepage for AFL Queensland|archivedate=3 June 2013}}

File:Png victory.jpg after the siren in a thriller at the Melbourne Cricket Ground]]

In September 2008, the Mosquitos took out the 2008 Interntional Cup against New Zealand by 8 points at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

In November 2008, 17-year-old Tianen Carbry was invited to the AIS/AFL academy.{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20081129195516876|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525005306/http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20081129195516876|url-status=dead|title=International juniors head for AIS and Junior Oceania Cup - World Footy News|archivedate=25 May 2013|website=www.worldfootynews.com}}

In January 2009, 17-year-old Amua Parika was signed by the Gold Coast Football Club to play in the AFL.{{cite web|url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/01/29/43945_gold-coast-afl.html |title=Coast sign PNG teen QAFL | goldcoast.com.au | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia |access-date=2009-01-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214061250/http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/01/29/43945_gold-coast-afl.html |archive-date=14 February 2012}} He was followed shortly after by the Gold Coast's signing of talented junior Stanis Susuve and 17-year-old Peter Labi joined the Carlton Football Club on an international scholarship.{{Cite web|url=http://www.carltonfc.com.au/newsarticle/tabid/4311/newsid/86133/default.aspx|title=Blues Sign International Player - Official AFL Website of the Carlton Football Club|date=24 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224071107/http://www.carltonfc.com.au/newsarticle/tabid/4311/newsid/86133/default.aspx|archive-date=24 February 2012}}

=2010s: International Success=

In 2014 Papua New Guinea sent a side to the Under-16 South Pacific Cup in Coffs Harbour, Australia in addition to taking out the senior men's International Cup in Melbourne.{{cite web| url = https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/AFL/Files/Annual%20Report/2014-AFL-Annual-Report.pdf| title = 2014 AFL Annual Report}}

Papua New Guinea won the 2017 International Cup in Melbourne.{{cite web| url = https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2019/12/05/aad564ee-58ac-4f16-97de-8d930a5237ef/2018_Digital_AR_Book-min.pdf| title = AFL Annual Report 2018}}

In 2017 Hewago Oea represented Queensland U18 (he was later selected in the AFL Draft Academy), followed in Queensland representative football by 2018 by Jason Logi, Rex Peregua and Joe Yamog represented Queensland U16, followed by Glen Saniong and Benedict Baro in 2019.{{cite web| url = https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2020/03/18/925fd047-a9b6-4f7d-8046-138a56ba36f4/2019-AFL-Annual-Report.pdf| title = AFL Annual Report 2019}}

In 2019, PNG fielded a club team known as the Muruks, in the Asian Australian Football Championships for the first time, which they won defeating a large number of sides featuring experienced expatriate Australian players.{{cite web| url = https://www.afl-asia.com/new-png-muruks-team-to-play-at-asian-champs/| title = New PNG Muruks team to play at Asian Champs}} from AFL Asia July 17, 2017

In October 2022, the Australian government announced its commitment to a support package for the sport in Papua New Guinea.[https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/penny-wong-introduces-pacific-afl-partnership-to-boost-bilateral-relations-as-she-jets-off-to-nauru-and-marshall-islands/news-story/9ce8cdd09073c9e6dfd828ebbd27d447 Penny Wong introduces Pacific AFL partnership to boost bilateral relations - as she jets off to Nauru and Marshall Islands] by Ewa Staszewska for Sky News Australia 12 October 2022

In 2023 Papua New Guinea sent its male and female national talent academies to Queensland for a series of test matches in Brisbane and the Gold Coast against Nauru's national teams and local sides.[https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/pngvnauru-afl/102545192 Cream of AFL under 19 talent from Nauru and PNG to face off under the eyes of talent scouts in Brisbane] By Richard Ewart for ABC Pacific 30 June 2023 PNG went down to Nauru in both international matches with the Nauru men's winning in the final minute of the game 5.8(38) to 5.7(27), in the women's match, a PNG shot at goal after the siren fell short resulting in Nauru holding on 3.9(27) to PNG's 3.4(22).[https://www.postcourier.com.pg/double-victory-for-nauru-over-png/ Double victory for Nauru over PNG] from the Post Courier 6 July 2023

National Teams

Image:Png mosquitos 2008 international cup.jpg

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.

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20050726005711610 |title=PNG Footy at a Crossroads? - World Footy News |access-date=2009-04-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525005342/http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20050726005711610 |archive-date=25 May 2013}} In recent years, sponsors have helped fill the void left by a lack of AFL funding. AFL PNG survives on a small group of sponsors.

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

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

! Sponsor

SponsoredAmount p/a (PGK$)TotalYears
Paradise FoodsNational junior programs (including Niukick)150,000450,0002022-(2025)[https://www.thenational.com.pg/afl-backing-to-continue/ AFL backing to continue] from The National 26 October 2021
Paradise FoodsNational junior programs (including Niukick)100,000300,0002020-2022{{Cite web|url=https://paradisefoods.com.pg/paradise-foods-limited-sponsors-afl-png-emnau-niukick-program-with-k300000/|title=Paradise Foods Limited sponsors AFL PNG emNAU Niukick Program with K300,000|date=3 March 2020}}
Paradise FoodsNational junior programs (including Niukick)50,000150,0002018-2019
Bank South PacificPort Moresby Senior premiership2013-
Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP) & DirectAid (Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea)Equipment for junior programs{{Cite web|url=https://png.embassy.gov.au/pmsb/MR070511ii.html|title=Australian High Commission in|first=corporateName= Department of Foreign Affairs and|last=Trade|website=png.embassy.gov.au}}2007-
Pacific Sports Partnership (PSP) programOverall participation-2018
B-MobileNational junior programs100,000300,0002009–2012
Australian Football LeagueAFL PNG45,0002005-
Telekom PNGSenior national team40,0002008-
Oil Search LimitedAFL PNG national junior programs?2002-

Leagues and Competitions

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

! Competition

RegionCommenced#Clubs#Men's#Women'sClubsRepresentative side
| Port Moresby Australian Rules Football LeagueNational Capital District195511106Port Moresby Dockers FC; Bismark Eagles; Lamana Dockers; Koboni Demons; Port; Cats; University Tigers; Gordon Kokofas; Gerehu Magpies; Gereka Bombers; Alavana SwansNCD
| LaeMorobe Province1969{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250220736 |title=LAE AUSSIE RULES BOOST |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=3 March 1970 |accessdate=15 June 2023 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}862Port Powers; City Bullets; Kabrats Hawks; Maiba Saints; Town Cats; Kamkamung Titans; Salle Dogs; Suns MeriLae
| Mt HagenWestern Highlands Province1969{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
| KimbeWest New Britain Province1970{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}66Bali Hawks; Central Magpies; SBLC Buluma; Talkom; Tamara; True West
| Goroka (formerly Eastern Highlands (District) Australian Rules Football League)Eastern Highlands Province1971{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250351284 |title=GOROKA RULES |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=5 March 1971 |accessdate=8 August 2022 |page=50 |via=National Library of Australia}}44Apo Stars; Asaroka; Mt Kiss; UPNG Goroka

  • 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.

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

! Year

Host/VenueNational ChampionsCleland Medallist/s
1964Herea Amini (Sogeri)
Dave TarrantCLELAND MEDAL SHARED BY TALI, MAHA. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 10 Aug 1972 Page 24
1965Ila Vele (Teachers College)VELE TO COACH REP SIDE. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 5 May 1977 Page 21
1966PapuaPapua after 8th title in rules. PNG Post Courier. 8 Jun 1973. Page 48Michael Bai (Defence)Michael's starring on only one leg Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 16 Jul 1975 Page 27
1967PapuaPeter Aberton (Aviat)Aviat star out for two weeks. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 29 Jul 1971 Page 28
1968PapuaVuina Wapa (Moresby)Papua's coach satisfied with Rules 'workout'. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 30 Sep 1969

Page 23

1969PapuaMax Bennett (12 votes) (PIR)Cleland Medal awarded to Max Bennett. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 23 Jul 1969 Page 32
1970PapuaDaryl Steward (13 votes) (PIR)DARYL STEWART TAKES CLELAND MEDAL. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 4 Aug 1970 Page 24
1971PapuaVili Maha (13 votes) (Koboni)Maha best in Papuan. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 11 Aug 1971 Page 36
1972PapuaBoga Tali (13 votes) (Aviat)
Vili Maha (13 votes) (Koboni)CLELAND MEDAL SHARED BY TALI, MAHA. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 10 Aug 1972 Page 24
1973Port MoresbyPAPUA ON TOP IN AUST RULES. PNG Post Courier. Page 23. 12 Jun 1973PapuaOscar Taule (16 votes) (Koboni)TAULE WINS RULES MEDAL Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 10 Aug 1973 Page 52
1975Lae ShowgroundsPapuaEasy win for Papuan rules team. PNG Post Courier. Mon 21 Jul 1975 Page 20Api Leka (14 votes) (Koboni)Best and fairest to Leka. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 1 Sep 1975 Page 15
1976Lae (cancelled)Lae rules title is called off Papua New Guinea Post-Courier4 Aug 1976 Page 25NATIONAL RULES CARNIVAL OFF Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 20 Aug 1976 Page 50-David Haro (14 votes) (NBC)NBC's David Haro takes out the Cleland Medal. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 9 Sep 1976 Page 23
1977LaeMoresbyThank you SP. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 29 Jun 1977 Page 14Peter Pati (22 votes) (Halgu)Pati’s 10 top games win Cleland Medal. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 2 Sep 1977 Page 51
1978LaeMoresby25 - MAN NATIONAL Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 22 Jun 1978 Page 27William Maha (26 votes) (Koboni)Third Cleland for Maha family. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 31 Aug 1978 Page 36
1979LaeLaeLAE BEAT CAPITAL IN FINAL OF RULES. PNG Post Courier. 18 Sep 1979 Page 31James Logha (13 votes) (Boroko)Logha has excellent season. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 22 Aug 1979 Page 39
1980Madang (cancelled)-Paul Sipori (22 votes) (Defence)SIPORI WINS RULES TOP HONOR. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 11 Sep 1980 Page 35
1981LaeNCD{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250709665 |title=NCD atone |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=16 June 1981 |accessdate=25 September 2021 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}
1995Lae
1996NCD
1997NCD
1998NCD
1999NCD
2000Hoskins¹
2001²
2002²
2003
2004NCD
2005²

¹The national titles in 2000 attracted teams from Buka, Pomio, 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 AFL pre-season matches in Port Moresby,{{cite web| url = http://www.footygoss.com/index.php/main/club_news/brisbane/view/michael_dreams_of_game_in_png/| title = Michael dreams of game in PNG| access-date = 12 August 2009| archive-date = 3 March 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233505/http://www.footygoss.com/index.php/main/club_news/brisbane/view/michael_dreams_of_game_in_png/| url-status = dead}} to date no official AFL matches have ever been played in PNG. Both St Kilda and North Melbourne clubs when the league was branded VFL have played against a local representative team and Australian Rules matches played there sometimes still draw big crowds and interest. This has been hampered by the major oval stadium used for the sport in the past, Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, being converted into rectangular configuration in 2003. Rectangular stadiums in the country now greatly outnumber oval stadiums and there remain no other suitable venues with spectator facilities apart from Amini Park which has been locked up to the sport by cricket authorities.

The following are notable crowds for matches played in Papua New Guinea:

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

! Attendance

DateMatch TeamsLocationNotes/References
10,0001976PNG vs NauruSir Hubert Murray Stadium. Port Moresby
8,0001976PNG vs North Melbourne (VFL)Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. Port Moresby,VFL premiers North Melbourne won 18-12-120 to 11-10-76
7,5002009Central Highlands vs Flying Boomerangs (Indigenous tour of PNG)Lae{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/2009041421481397|title=Boomerangs PNG tour wrap up and photos - World Footy News|website=www.worldfootynews.com}}
6,0001977Koboni vs Moresby POM AFL (Grand Final)Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, Port MoresbyKoboni surge to 7th premiership Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 19 Sep 1977 Page 22
6,0001973PNG vs Aboriginal AustraliaSir Hubert Murray Stadium, Port MoresbyFinal score Papua New Guinea 17.19 (121) def All-Stars 12.18 (90)PNG too good for Aboriginal side in rules match. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 8 Oct 1973 Page 22Good win to PNG in rules game. Papua New Guinea Post-Courie8 Oct 1973 Page 24
5,0001969PNG vs St Kilda (VFL)South Pacific Oval, Port MoresbyFinal score 9-17-61 to 1-6-12
5,0001999Wests vs Koboni POM AFL (Grand Final)Port MoresbyIAFC
4,0001977PNG U17 vs Victoria U17Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, Port Moresby
3,0001969Paramedical vs Busy Bees (Madang Grand Final)Madang, Territory of New GuineaParamed are tops in Rules. PNG Post Courier. 4 Sep 1969. Page 36
3,0001969Koboni vs Moresby POM AFL (Grand Final)Port Moresby{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article251519113 |title=Koboni oust Mores to win first Aust. Rules flag |newspaper=Papua New Guinea Post-courier |volume= |location=International, Australia |date=11 August 1969 |accessdate=9 June 2023 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}
3,0002012Koboni vs Taurama POM AFL (Grand Final)Murray Barracks Oval, Port Moresby[http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/2015100917552122 PNG update including Grand Final day in Lae] by Michael Christiansen for World Footy news 10 October 2015
2,5002009PNG (U18) Kupundas vs Flying Boomerangs (Indigenous tour of PNG)University of Papua New Guinea Port Moresby
2,0002012University vs Gordons POM AFL (Grand Final)Amini Park, Port Moresby[http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20121023001351829 AFL Port Moresby BSP premiership decided for 2012] by Michael Christiansen for World Footy News 23 October 2012
2,0001979Rabaul vs North SolomonsRabaulMATCH FITNESS DECIDES RULES. PNG Post Courier. 11 Apr 1979. Page 38
1,0001976Port Moresby B vs Royal Australian NavyMurray Barracks, Port Moresby

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.{{cite web| url = http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20060606/sport01.htm| title = AFL clubs look to PNG for talent| access-date = 14 December 2007| archive-date = 18 May 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110518023251/http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20060606/sport01.htm| url-status = dead}} from the Post Courier However, there are major inhibitors for recruitment, mainly height, with many of the more talented players being under 176 cm which is typically considered too short for professional AFL, strict visa entry rules that limit the amount of time that PNG nationals can develop in Australia, as well as language and cultural barriers.[https://www.aflq.com.au/hewago-paul-ace-oea-journey-from-png-to-the-suns/ Hewago Paul ‘Ace’ Oea Journey from PNG to the SUNS] by Peter Blucher for AFL Queensland 6 July 2022

=Men's=

File:Aiden_Bonar_2019.2.jpg |Aiden Bonar playing for Greater Western Sydney in 2019

File:Cam_Ellis-Yolmen_2019.4.jpg |Cam Ellis-Yolmen playing for Adelaide in 2019

File:33. James Gwilt, St Kilda FC 01.jpg|James Gwilt playing for St Kilda in 2009

Image:Mal michael.jpg |Mal Michael playing for Essendon in 2007

class="wikitable"
bgcolor="#CCFF99"

| Currently on an AFL senior or rookie list

class="wikitable sortable"

! Player

AFL Years*AFL Matches*AFL GoalsAFL DraftAFL Draft SelectionClub played/plays forRepresentative honoursConnections to Papua New Guinea, References
bgcolor=#CCFF99

| Bruce Reville

2023---2023Category B rookieBrisbane Lions (VFL/AFL)Born[https://www.lions.com.au/news/1468111/lions-sign-reville-as-rookie Lions Sign Reville As Rookie] 22 November 2023
Hewago Oea2022-20241352020Category B rookieGold Coast (NEAFL/VFL/AFL)PNG U14 (?), South Pacific U16 (2016) / Papua New Guinea (2017)Born and raised in Gordon, Port Moresby{{Cite web|url=https://dsf.newscorpaustralia.com/goldcoastbulletin/subscription/|title=Subscribe to the Gold Coast Bulletin}} International premiership (2017); All-International (2017)
Patrick Murtagh2019-2022--2019Category B rookieGold Coast (NEAFL/VFL)Mother[https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/afl/five-things-you-missed-in-the-historic-afl-grand-final-at-the-gabba/news-story/42a81b1511472e767f66933dd9c5b251 Suns 'specimen': Hulking rookie's incredible eating habits]
Aiden Bonar2018-20133452017#11GWS, North MelbourneMother{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-gws-rookie-helping-grow-afl-in-papua-new-guinea/1dbd7a54-8dd2-4b06-a1d0-5ea5780d366a|title=The GWS rookie helping grow AFL in Papua New Guinea|website=SBS News}}
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| Peter Ladhams

2017-50252017(rookie)Port Adelaide / Sydney SwansBorn{{Cite web|url=https://www.aflplayers.com.au/app/uploads/2021/02/AFLPA_Multicultural-Map-2020-scaled.jpg |title=2021 AFL Players Association Multicultural Map|access-date=2022-08-05|website=AFLPA}}
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| Ollie Wines

2013-21490Port AdelaideParent{{Cite web |title=2020 Multicultural Map revealed |url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/2020-multicultural-map-revealed/ |access-date=2020-10-06 |website=AFLPA}}
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| Nick Vlastuin

2013-21129RichmondFather[https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/my-story-richmonds-nick-vlastuin-on-family-footy-surfing-and-more/news-story/7b5eba72cf21acd90da856b8cee0d9e5 Richmond's Nick Vlastuin on family, footy, surfing and more] from Herald Sun 7 July 2020
Cam Ellis-Yolmen2012-20224818Adelaide, BrisbaneFather{{cite web| url = http://www.oursportinglifesa.com.au/single-post/2016/1/31/Footballer-and-Painter| title = "Footballer and Painter"}}, Our Sporting Life SA, 31 January 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
Gideon Simon2013–2014--Richmond (Coburg, VFL)Papua New Guinea (2014, 2017)Born and raised International premiership (2014, 2017); All-international (2014) (172 cm 71 kg) International Rookie selection 2012 AFL Draft
Brendan Beno2011–2012--Brisbane Lions (reserves)Papua New Guinea (2011, 2014, 2017)Born and raised in Buka, Bougainville{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-09/an-png-gideon-simon-drafted-by-richmond/4302310|title=Aussie Rules club drafts PNG youngster|date=8 October 2012|via=www.abc.net.au}} International scholarship (2011); International premiership (2014, 2017); (170 cm 62 kg)
Theo Gavuri2011-2012--GWS GiantsSouth Pacific U16 (2010); Papua New Guinea (2011, 2014)Born and raised in Kimbe. International scholarship (2011). International premiership (2014). (168 cm 69 kg)
John James Lavai2010–2011--Brisbane Lions (reserves)Papua New Guinea (2011, 2014 c, 2017 c)Born and raised International scholarship (2011) (170 cm 62 kg) AFL/AIS Draft camp (2017){{Cite web|url=http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20071212181100735|title=PNG Juniors at AFL/AIS Draft Camp - World Footy News|website=www.worldfootynews.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/|title=FOX SPORTS | Live Sports Scores | NRL, AFL, Cricket Scores|website=FOX SPORTS}} International premiership (2014, 2017) All-International (2017)
David Meli2009-2010--Essendon Football Club (reserves)Papua New Guinea (2008, 2011, 2014)Born and raised.{{cite web| url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/localfooty/tigers-snap-up-david-meli/story-fn53khop-1226085027390| title = Reference at www.heraldsun.com.au}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/meli-honours-his-fathers-legacy-20110824-1jabi.html|title=Meli honours his father's legacy|first=Emma|last=Quayle|date=24 August 2011|website=The Age}} International premiership (2008, 2014)
Donald Barry2009-2011--Brisbane Lions (reserves)Papua New Guinea (2008, 2011)Born and raised.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/123185/default.aspx |title=Lions confirm Clark wants out - AFL.com.au |access-date=2011-11-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104042518/http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/123185/default.aspx |archive-date=4 November 2011}} 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 Labi2009-2010--Carlton (reserves)Papua New Guinea (2008, 2011, 2014)Born and raised{{cite web| url = http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/jul/21/coast-connection-helps-eagles-aflq/| title = Reference at www.thedaily.com.au}} International Scholarship (2009) (186 cm 82 kg) International premiership (2008, 2014)
Stanis Susuve2009-2010--Gold Coast (reserves) / Brisbane Lions (reserves)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).{{Cite web|url=http://lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=48283|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011213459/http://lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=48283|url-status=dead|title=Panthers crush Suncoast|archivedate=11 October 2007}} 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.{{cite web| url = http://www.thenational.com.pg/051607/w6.htm| title = Thank you Mum for everything}}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} from thenational.com.pg{{Cite web|url=http://www.northernraiders.com/PNG%20PLAYERS%20MAKING%20THEIR%20MARK.doc|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829044205/http://www.northernraiders.com/PNG%20PLAYERS%20MAKING%20THEIR%20MARK.doc|url-status=dead|title=PNG Players making their mark|archivedate=29 August 2007}} Represented PNG in Rugby Sevens at the 2015 Pacific Games
Amua Pirika2009-2010--Gold Coast (reserves) / Brisbane Lions (reserves)Papua New Guinea (2014, 2017)Born and raised. Queensland Zone selection [88]; International premiership (2014, 2017); All-international (2014) (190 cm 80 kg)
James Gwilt2005–201615225St Kilda, EssendonMother{{cite web| url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,21750826-2722,00.html| archive-url = https://archive.today/20121215203252/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,21750826-2722,00.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2012-12-15| title = Gwilt trip: the road less travelled}} from The Australian Father played in Port Moresby.
Alistair Sione2003–2004--BrisbanePapua New Guinea (2005, 2008)Born and raised in West New Britain{{cite web| url = http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,16230757%255E19897,00.html| title = International Cup's Mosquitoes' chance to follow idol}} International scholarship (2003); All-International (2005, 2008); International premiership (2008)
Mal Michael1997–200823833Collingwood, Brisbane, EssendonPacific Islands (2009), Papua New Guinea (2010)Born (Port Moresby); Mother{{cite web| url = http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20020617/sport05| title = AFL stars shine| access-date = 30 April 2010| archive-date = 27 September 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927064944/http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20020617/sport05| url-status = dead}} from postcourier.com.pg Father played in Port Moresby.
Winis Imbi1997-1998--Essendon Football Club (reserves), North Melbourne Football Club (rookie), Ballarat RebelsPapua New Guinea (2011)Born[PNG's Winis revered footballer on western border {{cite web| url = https://www.pngattitude.com/2009/06/pngs-inis-a-revered-footballer-in-the-western-border.html| title = PNG's Winis revered footballer on western border - Keith Jackson & Friends: PNG ATTITUDE}}] #19 Rookie 1997 (172 cm)
Ben Sexton1991–19964333Footscray, CarltonBorn{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/afl/young-saint-who-came-from-left-field-20050225-gdkt1j.html|title=Young Saint who came from left field|date=25 February 2005|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}
Michael Sexton1990–200020023CarltonBorn (Lae){{Cite web|url=https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/54210/carltons-international-xviii|title=Carlton's International XVIII|website=carltonfc.com.au}}
Gimana Guma1973 |
| -South Melbourne (reserves)Papua New Guinea (1975)Recruited from Koboni
Vili Maha1973--South Melbourne (reserves)Papua New Guinea (1976)Recruited from Koboni
Herea Amini1964--Melbourne (reserves)Papua New Guinea (1975, 1976)Recruited from Koboni

== 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. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radio/darwin/|title=ABC Radio DARWIN|website=www.abc.net.au}} In 2007, like his brother, he won the Western Border Football League best and fairest.{{Cite web|url=http://www.countryfooty.com.au/MailMedalists2007.htm|title=Mail Medalists 2007|website=www.countryfooty.com.au}}
  • 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.{{cite web| url = http://www.aboriginalfootball.com.au/dec07.html| title = Frank retires with nothing else to prove| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080324203907/http://www.aboriginalfootball.com.au/dec07.html| archive-date = 24 March 2008}} from aboriginalfootball.com

=Women's=

File:AFLW_S7_GF_Zimmorlei_Farquharson_warmup_3.jpg|Zimmorlei Farquharson with the Brisbane Lions in 2022

File:Alicia_Janz_2018.jpg|Alicia Janz with Fremantle in 2018

class="wikitable"
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| Currently on an AFLW senior or rookie list

class="wikitable sortable"

! Player

AFLW Years*AFLW Matches*AFLW GoalsClub played/plays forConnections to Papua New Guinea, References
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| Zimmorlei Farquharson

2021-107{{AFLW|Bri}}, {{AFLW|WB}}Mother{{Cite web|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/dalby/afl-star-shines-at-nationals/news-story/85e635c8d90bef6a4df60c930ecbb109|title=AFL star shines at Nationals|first=By|last=Jessicabahr|date=21 February 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://afl.draftcentral.localhost/tag/zimmorlei-farquharson-queensland/|title=Zimmorlei Farquharson Queensland Archives}}
Alicia Janz2017-2021200{{AFLW|Fre}}Mother[https://www.mlc.wa.edu.au/assets/documents/2020-MLC-NAIDOC-Speech-Alicia-Janz.pdf MESSAGE FROM COLLEGIAN ALICIA JANZ (2007)]

See also

{{portal|New Guinea}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}