play for the PNG side, but was ruled ineligible by the AFL. Although he was born in PNG, he did not satisfy the criteria since he had moved to Australia at too young an age. Despite Michael not being involved in the side, he tipped PNG to win the competition, hailing the strong growth in the local competitions. In the 2005 International Cup, PNG again went through the competition unbeaten only to lose the Grand Final to a much improved New Zealand national team. Papua New Guinea's best and fairest player (from the 2005 International Cup) is Navu Maha. Navu also won the award for the best player in the 2005 International Cup series and captained both the 2002 and 2005 teams. In early 2008, the national team secured its first major sponsor – Telikom PNG – which helped to fund the junior squads competing in Australia and the senior squad's International Cup campaign. In the 2008 International Cup, PNG, captained by Alister Sioni again went through the competition unbeaten, this time defeating New Zealand in a thriller. 2 points up at the final siren, 17-year-old Amua Pirika kicked a goal after the siren. Donald Barry was best on the ground in the Grand Final. Overa Gibson was best and fairest in the 2008 International Cup. 4 Mosquitos were named in the All-International team – Donald Barry, Overa Gibson, Joe Lla and Stanis Susuve. A spin-off team, the PNG Maruks club, formed in 2019 to play under different eligibility criteria, won the Asian Australian Football Championships in 2019 in their debut year. International competition International Cup 2002: 2nd 2005: 2nd 2008: 1st 2011: 2nd 2014: 1st 2017: 1st Arafura Games 1995: 1st 1997: 1st 1999: 1st 2001: Did not compete Squad and Test history 1969 squad This squad was formed to compete against the VFL's visiting St Kilda Football Club which had finished 7/12 (outside finals) in the VFL. Strong; Leitch; Bae; Pak; Mackinlay; Wiimot; Amini; Roge Iga; Sinari; Wastell; James; Vele; Peni; Ravu Ope; Pickering; Wapa; Bennett; Waea; Dobson; Bernard Mou; Radcliffe 1973/4 squad This squad defeated Indigenous Australia twice, once at Ainslie Oval in Canberra. Joe Bubuo; Karo Vala; Vali Leka; Joe Pagleo; Bernard Mou; Michael Bai; Phillip George; Agarobe Tau; Boga Tali 1975 (First National) squad Squad formed to tour Tasmania for an annual match against Aboriginal Australia but was cancelled due to no funding from Australia.