Hunters Ground Jets at Home

Desperate to keep their finals hopes alive, the SP PNG Hunters dug deep to hold off the fast-finishing Ipswich Jets with a 28-22 win in Queensland Hostplus Cup round 18 fixture on Sunday, July 20th, 2025, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. 

The Hunters have had an inconsistent 2025 QRL season, faltering in showing their premiership threat. The Hunters’ roller-coaster season is attributed to injuries, suspensions and a slump in form by a few players.

It was a game of two halves where the Hunters rang rings around the Jets and stamped their authority in the first half. However, the Jets swung the momentum and dominated the second half, nearly stealing the win from the Hunters.   

After 15 minutes of contest, Judah Rimbu's try assist to Jordan Pat sparked the Hunters’ attack, which opened the floodgates that saw Robert Mathias, Gairo Voro, Ila Alu, and Douglas David score a try each, with Clent Lama nailing 4/5 conversions, giving the Hunters a comfortable 28-0 lead at the break.

With their backs against the wall, the visitors found their groove and manhandled the home side in the second stanza, scoring 4 unanswered tries through Ken Maumalo, Blake Lenehan, Luke Maddaford, and Oliver Pascoe.

An upset was looming, but the SP Brewery-sponsored franchise held their resolve to shrug off the flamboyant visiting men from Ipswich, recording a much-needed win in front of the home crowd.   

PNG Hunters coach Paul Aiton said he was pleased with his men’s clinical 40 minutes of footy in the first half but disappointed with their second half performance, especially citing some controversial calls being made by the referee.

“I am just happy for the win. We really needed that, especially at home. All the fans came out, so we had to win this game. However, I’m not happy with our second-half performance,” Aiton said. 

“I think there should be consistency in officiating and letting the game flow. I felt there were some tough calls on us. I know they are doing their best, but there must be consistency.” 

Coach Aiton thanked the fans for their continued support, acknowledging that it was the morale support that got the boys home when the Jets were mounting pressure on them in the second half.

The PNG Hunters will rest for two weeks and host the Western Clydesdales in the QRL Hostplus Cup round 20 match on August 10th at the Santos National Football Stadium.