PNG Flames player, Valerie Mai said she was satisfied with PNG’s performance at the recent 2017 AFL International Cup held in Melbourne.
The Flames finished sixth out of eight countries that took part, with two PNG players being named in the Women’s IC17 World Team.
Mai was a standout after she tied with Fijian Sally Fong to take home the Leading Goalkicker award in the Women’s competition.
Elma Emil was selected at back pocket. Emil showed her versatility and all-round football skills at IC17, playing predominantly in the ruck where she used her athleticism and smarts to direct the ball straight to her midfielders at stoppage plays.
The explosive Brigid Gaur was selected in the forward pocket. Gaur played every game at breakneck pace, running with ball in hand, or running at opponents to tackle and harass.
“It was a good performance from us even though we didn’t take part in 2014. To finish sixth out of eight was a big achievement for us,” said Mai.
Mai added areas that the team needs to train even harder in areas that are lacking in order to go one step further at the next AFL International Cup in 2020.