THEY play for the Coolangatta Blues but it looks more like the Papua New Guinea Aussie rules national team.
Fresh off a wooden spoon last year, new Blues president Scott Reid, who is also the president of AFL-PNG, has secured the services of 10 players from PNG to boost the club.
John Vogae, Ogla Pena, Freddie Peni, Emmanuel Tupia, Junior John Ikupu, Ferdinand Musi, Ali Pinda, Paul Phillip, Gagu Kaiyage and Junior Henry will all play for the Blues this season.
AFL PNG, which has been funded by the AFL for almost 10 years, have had players in Queensland on scholarship as part of its Coca Cola Talent Program for several years.
Coolangatta is a partner club and more than happy to accommodate the players, who range from the age of 17 to 24, from PNG for 2010.
"They bring a lot of run and fitness and with their attitude they are great to have around because they enjoy their footy," said Reid.
Reid said the boys have already fit right in down at Len Peak Oval.
"One of the things we are a little bit conscious of is we are bringing so many in to Coolangatta and you can sometimes set up a bit of a divide if the PNG boys stick to themselves." he said.
"But Coolangatta has a lot of new players and they are mixing really well with the PNG boys."
Fresh off a wooden spoon last year, new Blues president Scott Reid, who is also the president of AFL-PNG, has secured the services of 10 players from PNG to boost the club.
John Vogae, Ogla Pena, Freddie Peni, Emmanuel Tupia, Junior John Ikupu, Ferdinand Musi, Ali Pinda, Paul Phillip, Gagu Kaiyage and Junior Henry will all play for the Blues this season.
AFL PNG, which has been funded by the AFL for almost 10 years, have had players in Queensland on scholarship as part of its Coca Cola Talent Program for several years.
Coolangatta is a partner club and more than happy to accommodate the players, who range from the age of 17 to 24, from PNG for 2010.
"They bring a lot of run and fitness and with their attitude they are great to have around because they enjoy their footy," said Reid.
Reid said the boys have already fit right in down at Len Peak Oval.
"One of the things we are a little bit conscious of is we are bringing so many in to Coolangatta and you can sometimes set up a bit of a divide if the PNG boys stick to themselves." he said.
"But Coolangatta has a lot of new players and they are mixing really well with the PNG boys."
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