1999 Arafura Games

The 1999 Arafura Games were a great success and some sensational footy was witnessed by those lucky enough to attend. The tone was set by the first match between New Zealand and Samoa, who were playing in their first ever match. Mid-way through the Kiwi's haka the Samoans responded with their own siva tau or "war dance", which is something you don't see everyday at the footy. It was electrifying stuff and there was much anticipation as the umpire bounced the ball to start play. All in all it was a great tournament.

1999 Results

Division A: Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Japan, Northern Territory
Division B: New Zealand, Singapore, Samoa, Central Desert Eagles

Round 1
Northern Territory 19.11 (125) d. Japan 1.0 (6)
New Zealand 6.8 (44) d. Samoa 2.3 (15)
Central Desert Eagles 10.6 (66) d. Singapore 4.9 (33)
Papua New Guinea 12.13 (85) d. Hong Kong 4.4 (28)

Round 2
Samoa 15.8 (98) d. Central Desert Eagles 5.4 (34)
Hong Kong 9.8 (62) d. Japan 8.8 (56)
Papua New Guinea 7.6 (48) d. Northern Territory 6.8 (44)
Singapore 4.5 (29) d. New Zealand 1.12 (18)

Round 3
Papua New Guinea 20.5 (125) d. Japan 1.0 (6)
Samoa 10.8 (68) d. Singapore 1.5 (11)
New Zealand 14.8 (92) d. Central Desert Eagles 7.1 (43)
Northern Territory 13.16 (94) d. Hong Kong 0.1 (1)

Bronze Medal Final
Samoa 12.17 (89) d. Hong Kong 3.6 (24)

Gold Medal Final
Papua New Guinea 13.15 (93) d. New Zealand 9.2 (56)

World Team
Abraham Henao, Willie Lipou, Nava Maha, Thomas Gori, Gibson Overa, David Lucas (Papua New Guinea), Dan Carman, Colin Jones, Al Hunter, Miles Stratford, John Jackson (New Zealand), Pualele Lemana, Murray Silva, Toni Va'a, Peter Penaia Teo (Samoa), Patrick Carnegie Jnr, Casey Ward (Central Desert Eagles), Tony Boatman (Singapore), Takeshi Shirai (Japan), Rob Martin, Gerry Henderson, Steve Stasiakolski (Hong Kong).
Coach: Mathew Pula (Papua New Guinea)
Team Manager: Misa Sofara (Samoa)

Darryl Window Medal
Best and Fairest (International): Gibson Overa (Papua New Guinea)

Best and Fairest (Australian): PK Carnegie Jnr (Central Desert Eagles)