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New wave of PNG AFL signings imminent?

  • Monday, February 22 2010 @ 09:22 am ACDT
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Oceania

Recently a whole new lot of talented AFLPNG Coca Cola Talent Path Scholarship participants left Papua New Guinea to show their wares in a variety of Queensland competitions.

With the Coca Cola Talent Path Program already producing four AFLPNG players who are now listed to AFL Clubs (Meli, Susuve, Barry and Labi) the 12 unattached players sent down on Australian-based scholarships will be aware that opportunities may arise, especially with the formation of the Greater Western Sydney organisation under the eye of the globetrotting Kevin Sheedy and the very well-credentialed Graeme Allan, formerly in charge of recruitment at Collingwood and Brisbane. In fact, rumours are that several more AFL signings are imminent.

Ogla Pena (Western Highlands), Freddy Peni (New Ireland), John Vogae (West New Britain), Emmaus Wartovo (East New Britain) and Emmanuel Tupia (West New Britain) will be based on the Gold Coast. Ferdinand Musi (East Sepik), John Ikupu (Eastern Highlands) will start their campaign from Townsville for the Queensland Country, Greg Aki (Western Highlands) and Larry Nao (Gulf) will base from the Sunshine Coast. Naime Gordon (Central) and Collins Slim (Oro) will be at the Northern Raiders in Brisbane and Amua Pirika (Central) and John James (NCD) will be based out of Brisbane.

According to this article on the AFLPNG Blogspot, the rumour mill has it that AFLPNG will announce that the Coca Cola Path will now have a staggering 10 participants signed to AFL Clubs by the month’s end. WFN looks forward to previewing these footballers in the near future.

The Coca Cola Talent Path is proving to be a model that has seen real results over the last 8 years from the Talent Camps right through to the Coca Cola Binatangs tours each year. With the AFL Clubs now committing to ‘in country’ development and talent search, PNG is poised no doubt to see more kids joining the ranks in AFL Clubs.

Editor: It may be that Brendan Beno and Ezra Kautu, I think recently listed with Brisbane Lions, would probably be two more of the 10. Which would leave 4 more signings to be announced.