By SUSAN OREAPE-FARAPO
THE PNG Kurakums Under 16 female team brushed aside three Australian teams to claim the title in the U16 AFL State Development championships in Cairns, Queensland, on Sunday.
The Kurakums, favourites from day one, were the team to watch out for during the two-day event playing against north Queensland, south Queensland and an Aboriginal team from Cape York.
PNG were “super” when they kept their opponents scoreless in each of their three wins before facing Cape York.
The game against south Queensland was 30-0, north East Queensland 63-0 and Cape York 27-0.
As they approached the finals there wasn’t much trouble dumping the Cape York team 5.2 (32) to 2.3 (15) in the grand final.
“They’ve never been in that position (playing a final) before,” AFL PNG football operations manager, Peter Cates said. He told Cairns Post.
He said the win was great for the development of the code in PNG.
Kurakums had bulk of its players making their first appearance but played with confidence and high spirit forcing a good game coordination.
“Most of our players did very well under the direction of five experienced players, and it is a dream come true for all of us PNG girls,” an elated Kurakums captain, Sylvia Kotapu said.
She said they participated last year at the same event but finished third and this time they made a must for a sweet victory for the their families and the country as a whole.
PNG Kurakums drew players from Kimbe, Lae, Mount Hagen and Lae.
Kotapu led by example as she starred along side Mildred Veau and Christine Puang for the big win. According to Kotapu, it was sweet victory for PNG.
Cape Yorks coach admitted that the PNG Kurakums were just too good for them.
The Kurakums will now look forward to another tournament in Australia next year with preparations and training to be organised soon.