AFL Cairns: Manunda Hawks’ PNG Contingent Driving AFL Cairns Forward
A brigade of Papua New Guinean (PNG) AFL Cairns players are blazing a path for future growth across the Pacific. Meet the six players here.
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A brigade of Papua New Guinean (PNG) AFL Cairns players are blazing a path for future growth across the Pacific.
Livewire forward Kila Rawali, brothers Matthew and Mitchel White, club stalwart William Aisi, David Topeni and Tyler Gorogo were instrumental in the Hawks’ win against CTB Bulldogs last weekend, delivering a dynamic blend of attacking force and staunch defence.
Aisi, who returned for his first game in over a year, joined Topeni who made his club debut.
This landmark victory not only revitalises the Hawks’ but also highlights the significant growth and impact of the PNG community on AFL both locally in Cairns and nationally.
Aisi, who started his AFL journey with the Manunda Hawks in 2007 and has been a trailblazer for PNG players in the Far North, said he was stoked to be back playing with his “brothers”.
“It was great to get back on the ground with them,” Aisi said.
“Great feeling, especially as a senior player around the young kids again, giving them directions and helping them out where I can. It was awesome.”
Aisi began his footy career in PNG before continuing in Australia with the Manunda Hawks in 2007.
“I was fortunate enough Manunda took me in as one of their own. Loved the club and always stayed there,” he said.
“There’s a lot of talented players that never get looked at. I’ve gone back home a fair few times and seen lots of talented kids trying to get into the AFL pathway, but visa wise, it can be really difficult and the system isn’t fair to them.
“But the kids that do make it, I’m so proud of them.”
Topeni and Gorogo’s journey in Australian football traces back to their roots at the Koboni Football Club in Port Moresby, PNG, where they first honed their skills.
The duo’s involvement in the 2017 International Cup in Melbourne, alongside Rawali, not only highlighted their talent but also served as a significant milestone in their AFL careers.
The trio are set to reunite on a national level once again, representing PNG in the Pacific Cup this November.
Aisi said their rugby league background contributes to their rugged playing style in AFL.
Their continued development underscores the robust footballing tradition in PNG and its growing integration into Australian leagues.
Rick Hanlon, AFL Cape York’s General Manager, emphasised the significance of PNG’s contribution to the local AFL scene and the broader vision of integrating PNG teams into Cairns’ football landscape.
“We had a close association with PNG when I first got here 26 years ago,” Hanlon said. “PNG is our closest International Northern neighbour and Football has been played there for almost 50 years. Their passion for AFL is immense. We see a golden opportunity to build stronger connections with PNG, potentially leading to international competitions and further growth.”
The recent success of PNG-born players like Hewago ‘Ace’ Oea with the Gold Coast Suns and the burgeoning grassroots programs in PNG signal a promising future for the sport in the Pacific.
“In the future, is there the possibility for us to have a PNG team flying to Cairns, having a home and away series and playing international football? At the end of the day it would be an international competition and the only one of its kind in the Australian Football League in Australia. We have a terrific airline running out of Cairns in Air Niugini who fly directly to Port Moresby. It’s a vision we have but it’s also an opportunity to strengthen our local competition and draw a lot more players to the game.”
The AFL Queensland will host PNG representative teams in Cairns with a under-16 tri-series on August 30.
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Originally published as AFL Cairns: Manunda Hawks’ PNG Contingent Driving AFL Cairns Forward
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