Aiton Remains Optimistic

The SP PNG Hunters’ poor start in the season opener against the Central Queensland Capras last Sunday (8 March) at Santos National Football Stadium did not deter the team’s focus, with coach Paul Aiton describing it as a “resilient fight.”

Losing round 1 was a bitter pill to swallow for the Hunters, especially at home, but they learned their lesson the hard way, shifting their focus to round 2 at PNG’s spiritual rugby league home ground (NFS) to make amends. 

Despite the disappointing result, Aiton praised the team’s resilience, noting it was a game of two halves, where the visiting Capras dominated the first half, and the Hunters regrouped and swung the momentum in the second half.

“Definitely a tough game. I think we made it hard for ourselves with simple errors. But it showed another side of us - how united we are, where we didn’t give up,” he stated.  

“Even with all the energy that we burnt through in the first half, we completed our first set in the 31st minute, which just showed the amount of possession the opposition had, and to be able to come back and win the possession in the second half was a really good effort by the boys. 

“Even down to 12 men, it showed a lot of character for the boys and the effort they put in the game. We didn’t get the 2 points, but I think the boys learned a lot out of that loss.”

The Hunters serve as a pathway, creating opportunities for players to further their careers abroad each year, which leaves a void for emerging talent to fill and puts pressure on the coaching staff to make the team competitive. 

“Most definitely. Having a team for two or three years, understanding how you coach the systems and structures, and understanding how each other plays is a benefit for the team,” Aiton said.

“We are a pathway, and you have to take a good out of it. I’m excited for the players who have left and progressed in their careers, and I’m excited for the players who are going to join the Hunters.

“I understand the role, and I’m happy with the role. I think it’s a good thing. Hopefully, next year, we can send some more players overseas and get the new crop of players.”

The coach added that the round 1 result doesn’t define the club’s entire season, as they have many games to play, emphasizing the fundamentals and adhering to the process.

“For me, I think it’s a good reminder that that’s the role we are in, so we will not get frustrated but to trust the process and stay with it. The results will come; we just have to stick to the process,” Aiton stressed. 

“We always tell the players to trust each other. As the coaching staff, we need to do the same thing and trust the process.”

In addition, coach Aiton heaped praise on fullback Sanny Wabo, who will play his 50th game for the Hunters on Sunday, highlighting Wabo’s growth and leadership that he has provided to the team. 

“He is a leadership player. We are really lucky to have him. I’m not sure we will keep him next year - I’m sure that there will be clubs lining up for him. When Sanny is on, everyone’s on. He has got that type of energy,” Aiton said.

“I found out this year that he has been more involved in the leadership role. I’ve seen him grow into that (leadership), and he keeps growing, so I’m expecting a big year for him, and I think he is expecting a big year for himself as well.

“He has been really good to the team, and I’m happy that he will play his 50th game for the Hunters. He has been talking about it for months, so I’m glad that it’s coming.” 

The Hunters’ round 1 lineup remained unchanged, except for two changes. Coach Aiton dropped Murray Fige Connors and Clent Lama, shifting Benji Kot from center to second-row and making way for debutant Bruce Bawase to lock center, while Graham Rex replaced Lama.

The SP Brewery-sponsored PNG Hunters will host the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in round 2 of the Hostplus Cup on Sunday, 15 March 2026, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, with kickoff scheduled at 3:30 pm.