AFLPNG name side for Aussie DF

 AFLPNG have announced their squad to represent Papua New Guinea in a match against the Australian Army to be held in Lae on Sept 21. 

The squad has been chosen from the Port Moresby BSP Cup competition but players from Lae, Kimbe and Mt Hagen will be added to the squad in the coming weeks. 

AFLPNG senior football operations manager Rex Leka expressed excitement over the match, which  promises to field a strong Australian outfit. 

“We are coming to the end of a fantastic season in the BSP Cup, our best year of senior football in Port Moresby for many years. 

“The boys are all fit and will have a full season of tough footy under their belts. We hope to give the Australians a bit of a shake-up,” Leka said. 

Experienced players such as Emanuel Tupia (Lamana Dockers), Fredinand Musi (Moniplus Taurama Suns), Robert Lambouku (SP Defence), Paul Phillip (Digicel GordonsKokofas) and Clyde Pulah (Moore University Tigers) head up an impressive initial list.

Graduates of the Coca-Cola AFL Academy to make the squad include Jeffery Namete (Moniplus Taurama Suns), Bruno Arnold (Hitron Bomana Cats) and Ori Nilmo (Lamana Dockers).

A final trial match for the squad will be held as a curtain raiser to the BSP Cup grand final on Saturday Sept 7. 

Players from Morobe, West New Britain and the Highlands will receive their final chance to gain selection for the match against the Australians. 

The squad will form the nucleus of the PNG Mosquitoes for the 2014 International Cup to be held in Melbourne in August next year. 

Moore University Tigers coach, Walter Yagomina will coach the team and will be assisted by Digicel Gordons Kokofas Glenn Davies. The squad will commence training this today at Colts Oval at 4.30pm. 

The squad: Robert Lamboku, Shane Jacob, Nigel Paola, Cyril Gerari (SP Defence); Richard Rawali, Henry Henry, Tiko Henry, Lai Lai, Tohian Roberts, Dominic Livuana, Tau Morove (Graffiti Koboni); Junior Francis Giau, Emanual Tupia, Stanis Isu, Sebastian Gelu, Wesley Yuwi, Paul Tika, Nilmo, Tonton Kuvi (Lamana Dockers); Namete, Musi, Robert Gogens, Chris Mong, Tino Kante, Regan Bako (TauramaSuns); Sunny Yogomin, Unapo Yogomin, Phillip, Sam Ila, John Vincent (Gordon Kokofas); Obert Muri, Glen Goloki, Tore Lahio, Robert Daniels, Dia Muri, Henry Kea (Giants); Ezra Gouno, Ismael Ekari, Kawai Akaru, Eric Michael (Gerehu Magpies); Bruno Arnold, Luke Savere Jnr, Greg Ekari, Ben Tirang, Nane Rai, Kataha Siwee (Bomana Cats); Mal Avia, Wingti Pena, David Topeni, Brian Slim Collins, Brendan Gotuno, Clydie Pulah (University Tigers).