Hunters break finals hoodoo

The SP PNG Hunters are finals bound for the first time since 2017 following their emphatic 46-12 victory over the Western Clydesdales during the Queensland Rugby league Hostplus Cup final round of the regular season on Saturday, August 24th, 2024, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

After seven years of failing to appear in the finals, the refreshed and rejuvenated Hunters outfit came on a mission in the 2024 Hostplus Cup campaign and made their presence known, finishing fifth place on the ladder and ending their finals drought.

The last-placed Clydesdales shocked the Hunters and opened the scoreboard with a four-pointer in the 5th minute of play through hooker Drew Timms, who scooped up the ball quickly from the ruck and darted over the line.

Ten minutes later, five-eight Joshua Lau’s individual brilliance put the Hunters back in the game. Lau produced another cheap-and-chase play to score an untouched try in the 27th minute. And right on the stroke of half time, center Elijah Roltinga swerved past a couple of defenders to score the Hunters’ third try, leaving the half time score at 18-6.

The floodgates were opened in the second half, which saw the Hunters wreck havoc and immediately find the try line in the 41st minute through second-rower Benji Kot. Following Kot’s try, it was a one-way traffic contest as the Hunters piled on tries through Brandon Nima, Judah Rimbu, Elijah Roltinga, and Wallen Tau-Loi, while the Clydesdales bagged a consolation try through prop Emry Pere, ending the match with a 46-12 drubbing.

In his rookie season as head coach, Paul Aiton defied the odds and stirred the SP Brewery-sponsored franchise to the finals, breaking their seven-year drought. The Hunters’ win came with a price as they lost a couple of players through injuries.

“I’m very pleased with the boys. They’ve worked hard throughout the season and made it to the finals. Unfortunately, we only had one player (Finley Glare) on the bench, with three or four head injury assessments, and ankle injuries. We've got quite a lot of injuries, but managed to pull through. I’m hoping that everything turns out well, so that we have full strength next week,” Aiton stated.

After pulling off a convincing victory over the Western Clydesdales during the final round of the regular season, the SP PNG Hunters will have the advantage to host the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in their elimination playoff at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday, August 31st, 2024.