Country snapshot

SITUATED in the south-west Pacific Ocean, PNG comprises the eastern side of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands. The terrain is mountainous, and with about 85 per cent of the main island covered in tropical rainforest, PNG’s heavy reliance on air travel accounts for its almost 600 air strips.

The country's 5.9 million people speak more than 800 different languages and inhabit largely in rural villages where they live off subsistence farming.

The unofficial national sport is rugby league, although Australian football has been played there since the 1930s and is becoming increasingly popular.

Famous for: Kokoda Trail and ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’, yams, volcanoes, Pidgin English, wood sculpture.

Australian football in Papua New Guinea

Australian football has been played in PNG since the 1930s and remains popular across the country. Fourteen senior clubs compete under the AFLPNG banner as well as junior clubs, less formal senior teams and school competitions.

AFLPNG is fostering player development through its talented player pathway programs and scholarships awarded through AFL Queensland. Expect the Mosquitoes to be boosted in the International Cup by the 21 players currently playing in Australia on scholarship.

The PNG Mosquitoes were undefeated in the Arafura Games in 1995, 1997 and 1999. They finished second to Ireland in the 2002 International Cup and were narrowly defeated by New Zealand in the 2005 Grand Final.

National jumper

Red, black and yellow featuring a bird of paradise, the national emblem.

The hardest thing about playing football for PNG

With no player over six-foot, the Mosquitoes are . . . how should we say . . . vertically challenged. Coach Andrew Cadzow admits himself: “Unless Mal Michael’s allowed to play, we’ve got no height”.

But they also know how to play to their strengths. True to their title, the Mosquitoes may be small but they are downright persistent. Unfortunately for spectators, their style is likely to include a fair bit of soccering of the ball. Hopefully there will also be some great crumbing and ball handling skills on display.

Secret weapon

The ability to play the ball low to the ground.

Creativity. Who knows – players may have a few tricks up their guernseys, a la PNG export Mal Michael, who once displayed the unorthodox method of scoring a rushed behind for Essendon by booting it through the goal posts like a determined full-forward.

Papua New Guineans are naturals at footy because . . .

They are relentless in their attack, have natural athleticism and have been playing the game for more than 70 years. Not to mention those scholarship holders honing their skills up north, including at least 10 playing senior football and several others in youth state and local representative sides.

PNG’s Mr Football

Described as “by far the most senior figure in PNG football”, Overa Gibson is the Mosquitoes’ oldest player at 35. He has played international footy since the age of 18 and is revered by the football community in his home country.

PNG Patrons

Former Western Bulldogs star Doug Hawkins is the number one ambassador and the legendary Ron Barrasi is PNG football patron.

Mal Michael is expected to be involved with the side in August, either in a coaching capacity or in a supporter’s role should he be required at Essendon come finals time (in other words, bring on Coach Mal!)

PNG is also affiliated with the Ballarat League’s self-proclaimed “benchmark for all sports clubs”, the Bacchas Marsh Football Club.

Papua New Guinea Team List (.pdf)