27 Aug 2011

Sport: Papua New Guinea AFL side wants to honour manager

10:04 am on 27 August 2011

The coach of Papua New Guinea Associated Football League, AFL, side says it was important to make the international Cup final to honour the memory of team manger Peter Meli.

The former PNG great was stabbed to death a week before Papua New Guinea began the defence of its title in Australia.

Mosquito's coach, David Lake, has guided PNG into today's Division one final against Ireland at the MCG and says his side has shown real character during the championship.

"We stayed in a caravan park out the back of Blacktown while we were in Sydney. Certainly the boys are terrific. They've never complained. As long as they're feed, they're rooved and they've got a bed they're happy. And then we stayed at the backers Marsh football club. A night on the floor. They're very resilient characters. Its more about being together and having fun together rather than complaining about what you haven't got .I think they'll get stronger and stronger. They'll unite more and more as we go."

David Lake.