Richmond’s international rookies from Papua New Guinea had an impact at the under-16 National Championships in Blacktown, Sydney last week.
Gideon Simon and Nathan Malbak represented the South Pacific team in the Division 2 competition, competing against Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and a combined world team, in the week-long tournament.
The South Pacific team consisted of players from PNG, Tonga, New Zealand, Samoa, Naura and the Solomon Islands.
Simon was named best on ground in the opening game, in which the South Pacific defeated Tasmania by two points. Playing as a midfielder/half-back, he collected 25 disposals, took five marks and laid five tackles.
Malbak also showed some good signs across half-back, finishing with 12 disposals, 10 of which were contested.
Simon, unfortunately, injured his hamstring at training before the second match, but fast-tracked his off-field leadership skills by taking a midfield coaching role for the rest of the championships.
Malbak continued his development in the next two games with some impressive work, including a goal in the final match against the world team on Saturday.
Simon will represent the senior PNG team in the AFL 2011 International Cup, to be played in Sydney and Melbourne from August 12-28.
