PNG under-18s snatch one-point win
PAPUA New Guinea's Kupundas have struck the first blow after defeating Indigenous youth team the Flying Boomerangs in Port Moresby yesterday by the slimmest of margins. The teams are playing a two-match series in PNG, with tomorrow's game at Lea to Port Moresby's north to follow.
The under-18 PNG team won game one in a thriller, 9.12 (66) to 9.11 (65), over the under-17 Boomerangs. Best players for the Indigenous team were Brandon Ah Chee, Jayden McMasters, Reid Crowe, Jacob Crook-Harrison, Luke Wilson, and Kayne, Nicholas, Pena, Norman, Carbry for the Kupundas.
The annual Flying Boomerangs football tour is part of a 12-month personal development and leadership program for Indigenous youth. CEO of the AFL Foundation Jason Mifsud said there is a cultural connection between Aboriginal Australians, Torres Strait Islanders and the Melanesians of PNG.
"The tour provides an outstanding sporting, leadership and cultural opportunity for young Indigenous players," he said. "The focus of the tour is to further develop the leadership qualities and experience of the young Indigenous men.
The Flying Boomerangs squad in PNG
NSW/ACT: Kevin Gittens (Deniliquin), Reid Crowe (Finley), Dylan Stuart (Broken Hill).
Northern Territory: Michael Dunn (Darwin), Sebastian Dhamarrandji (Gove), Thomas Marshall, Jayden McMasters (Alice Springs).
Queensland: Mark Akiba (Thursday Island), Kieran Johnson (Gordonvale), Patrick Nandy (Wujal-Wujal), Mark Yettica-Paulson, Jermaine Wardle (Cairns).
South Australia: Reggie Wanganeen (Elizabeth Vale), Luke Wilson (Salisbury Downs).
Western Australia: Brandon Ah Chee, Graham Ryan (Perth), Delson Trott (Boulder), Thomas Murphy (South Hedland), Scott Wilson (Broome), Trevor Parfitt (Geraldton).
Victoria: Lachlan Edwards (Albans Park), Jamaal Cross (Mooroopna), Jacob Cooke-Harrison (Horsham).
The squad was selected at the conclusion of the annual Qantas AFL Kickstart camp in July 2008.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Last Modified on 14/03/2009 13:42