PNG-born AFL Cairns player hopes to help blaze a path for future growth across the Pacific

An AFL dream took Kila Rawali from the poverty stricken streets of Port Moresby to Cairns and now the softly-spoken 26-year-old hopes others will follow his lead.

PNG-born AFL Cairns player Kila Rawali will represent his home country in November's Pacific Cup. Picture: Samuel Davis

Aspirations to play AFL took Kila Rawali from the poverty stricken streets of Port Moresby to Cairns.

Now, the softly-spoken 26-year-old hopes others will follow his lead.

“This is a dream come true,” the full-time car detailer said, perched high in the grandstand above Cazalys Stadium recently.

The dashing defender’s football journey is a rare one but perhaps not for much longer.

Growing participation rates across the Pacific nation and talented PNG-born players playing on suburban grounds domestically have excited league administrators enamoured with the idea of growing the game north of the Torres Strait.

PNG-born AFL Cairns player Kila Rawali will represent his home country in November's Pacific Cup. Picture: Samuel Davis

So much so, AFL Queensland is exploring the prospect of introducing men’s and women’s teams from Australia’s nearest international neighbour into its AFL Cairns competition.

Coupled with the remarkable rise of PNG-born Gold Coast Suns forward Hewago ‘Ace’ Oea and the identification of promising junior, Allen Savera, the game is truly on the rise in the Pacific.

“We just need to provide opportunities and the more people we get playing at that grassroots level, the more we’ll get into our talent pathway programs and onto AFL lists,” AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said recently of PNG talent.

“The more diverse a range of talent that we can attract to the game the better it is as well.”

Hewago Oea of the Suns kicks during the round 15 AFL match between Gold Coast Suns and Hawthorn Hawks at Heritage Bank Stadium, on June 25, 2023, in Gold Coast, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

But for Rawali, who plays for the Manunda Hawks in Cairns, football is more than a game.

It’s the catalyst for helping him forge a new life in a foreign land in a community with strong ties back to his home country.

“Everything’s here,” Rawali, who worked as a security guard on construction sites back in Port Moresby, said.

“I’m living a good life and the environment is beautiful. I miss my family very much but it’s a journey for me to start a life here.

“We live in poverty (back home). There’s a job crisis and sport isn’t that serious.

“Back home is just really difficult … life is hard. But if I come down here and do well I can take care of my family.”

PNG-born AFL Cairns player Kila Rawali will represent his home country in November's Pacific Cup. Picture: Samuel Davis

Rawali first fell in love with AFL in primary school when mates convinced him to give the foreign code a try.

“I think I was 11,” he said. “They were all playing footy and I was a rugby league fan boy.

“That’s when I started my footy career. Since that moment I haven’t really played rugby league.”

The half-back flanker’s speed and natural flair was quickly recognised by talent scouts, with Rawali selected to play for his country soon after.

“I got picked in the national junior team in the under 14 and 16s,” he said.

“I came to Cairns in 2013 and went to Townsville. I remember we played trial matches against North Cairns Tigers and Pyramid Power.

“It was the first time I’d been to Australia – just a different atmosphere.

“That was when I knew I wanted to come back.”

Later this year, Rawali will again represent the men’s national team at the Pacific Cup on the Sunshine Coast against likely rivals Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Tonga, Vanuatu and South Africa.

“There are a lot of boys like me who are hungry to come over here – really talented players,” he said.

“I know they dream of coming over here to play footy.”

PACIFIC CUP

Date: November 14-24, 2024

Location: Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Invited nations: Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Vanuatu, South Africa (competing nations TBC)

Originally published as PNG-born AFL Cairns player hopes to help blaze a path for future growth across the Pacific