JARROD Illig has returned to Stawell after spending almost two weeks on the Gold Coast playing elite football.
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The 15 year old Stawell Secondary College student went to Queensland to represent the South Pacific in the under 16 NAB AFL National competition, where he would play teams such as a world representative team, Flying Boomerangs Aboriginal side and Western Australia north west.
He was selected to represent South Pacific after excelling in the South Pacific carnival held in Fiji and Coffs Harbour, where he played for Nauru.
Illig's South Pacific team defeated the world side 8-6-54 to 7-9-51, lost to Western Australia north west 10-8-68 to 4-6-30 and lost to the Aboriginal Flying Boomerangs 14-8-92 to 6-12-48.
Despite losing two of the three games, Illig had a strong carnival, earning best awards in each game played.
"I was second best in the first two games and third best in the third game, so I went pretty well personally," Illig said.
"I played through the middle and floated around the back line."
For now Illig will return to the Stawell Warriors where he plays in the under 17 team and at times in the seniors.
"That is it for now, there is no next stage," Illig said.
"I got a lot out of it, just to see some of the talent that the rest of the world and Australia has to offer was huge."
The highlight of the trip for Illig was when fellow Nauruan teammate DJ Grundler sealed their win over the world side.
"DJ Grundler's game winning goal seconds before the siren to beat the world side was the highlight of my trip," Illig said.