Essendon announced on Tuesday they have signed 16-year-old David Meli, a small forward from Papua New Guinea, as their second international rookie.

Meli represented Queensland at the recent national under-16 championships in Sydney and is a product of the AFL Oceania development program and, more recently, the AFL Queensland elite junior system and recently made his QAFL senior debut for Southport.

Meli’s family is originally from the West New Britain area of PNG, as was the family of St Kilda’s James Gwilt, but Port Moresby is now home, although the teenager has been based in Queensland for several years.

Meli was a Queensland under-16 representative last year and played his club and state football alongside recent Gold Coast signing Amua Parika, who also hails from PNG.

The Dons ventured offshore last year to sign Irishman Michael Quinn, who has played three senior matches. Meli will be the club’s second international rookie list signing. International rookies sit outside of the salary cap and can be retained on the list for two years.