Gold Coast Suns news: Hewago Oea’s family arrives from PNG to watch him play

Gold Coast young gun’s touching story behind family’s long-awaited journey to watch him play footy - and how it very nearly all went wrong.

Hewago Paul Oea of the Suns celebrates wth fans. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

A magical moment two years in the making was almost brought undone by classic chaos on the infamous M1 motorway stretch between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Second year Sun Hewago Oea revealed the “pretty special” moment of singing the club song with his family in the rooms after the 67-point thumping of Hawthorn almost didn’t happen due to flight and traffic delays.

Hewago Paul Oea of the Suns celebrates wth fans. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“They got into Brisbane at 4pm … they had to drive all the way down here. (They were) lucky enough to get here in the third quarter and watch the last two (quarters),” Oea said.

“I’m pretty happy that they could see me running around live.”

Vision of the Papua New Guinea native’s family cheering him on in his AFL debut last season became an instant social media hit and Oea said he had since been scheming to get them to the Gold Coast to watch a game live.

“That was my plan for the last year,” Oea revealed.

“Because of Covid they didn’t have a chance to come and they were watching me back home. When I kicked my first goal you could see their reaction on the telly.

“They do heaps of stuff for me and without them I wouldn’t be here playing footy – to bring them here is pretty special.”

Sunday marked the first time his father Paul, older brother Ado and older sister Miriam had ever left PNG.

They were welcomed with open arms by the Suns and were able to stand arm-in-arm alongside Oea as they sang the song after the big win over the Hawks.

“It means a lot to me to be honest,” the 21-year-old said.

“They’ve never done this before. To watch it back home when we win and sing, to being able to come here and stand in front of everyone and sing is pretty special.

Hewago Oea (right) played his first game of the season in the Suns’ 67-point win over Hawthorn on Sunday. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“They’re going to stay this game and next weekend (for) the Collingwood game.

“I’m going to host them – take them around the Gold Coast and show them around. Bring them to the footy club to watch me train and see how the boys train and prepare for next weekend.

“Life back home is pretty different. I can’t wait to show them how I live here.”

Originally published as Gold Coast Suns news: Hewago Oea’s family arrives from PNG to watch him play