Yes, they are eligible. Especially now since PNG fall under the AFLQ banner. It is true that the strength of the country Queensland regions is still low relative to many other parts of Australia, but it's all very positive. Some PNG boys have been picked to represent country Qld in the past year or so. But AFL PNG also has to balance the schooling needs of the kids picked - they can't stay in Australia for too long. But certainly the talent pathways should ensure top PNG footy kids getting noticed by AFL scouts. The next 4 years should see an exciting rise of PNG boys through the AFLQ system. Obviously their proximity to Qld is an advantage. Hopefully something similar can happen with New Zealand too, say with NSW-ACT.


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Brett Northey - Co-founder of WFN, Chief Editor and Editor for North America