Following their resounding 50-16 victory over the Townsville Blackhawks on Sunday, May 5th, at Jack Manski Oval in Townsville, the rejuvenated Hunters are upbeat to meet the table toppers, Northern Pride, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday, May 11th.
The 50 points that the Hunters piled on the Blackhawks was the biggest margin the SP Brewery-sponsored outfit ever recorded on Australian soil and in the club’s history. It was also their first biggest win in the 2024 QRL Hostplus Cup season.
With this impressive performance, the Hunters are confident to compete against the Pride on home soil and give the competition leaders a run for their money. It’s not going to be a walk-in-the-park footy for the home side, but they are determined and prepared to push the red-hot visitors to the brink.
Coach Paul Aiton was pleased with the Hunters’ exceptional performance against the Blackhawks and credited the players for their discipline and game management.
“I think we are understanding our systems and processes a lot more in our team and it’s starting to show,” Aiton said.
“The big thing is our errors and penalties; we’ve reduced that quite a lot. We are now focusing on our errors and penalties and having faith in what we are doing.
“Even when it seems like it’s not working, it will work. We just have to trust the process and stick to the game plan.”
Although the PNG-based team have lost a couple of players due to niggling injuries, Aiton believes the players would step up their game to match the might of the Pride.
“Despite the minor injuries, me and the boys are looking forward to the challenge against Pride. They are sitting on top of the table, so it will be a good measure for us,” he said.
The Hunters will host rounds 9 and 10 of the QRL Hostplus Cup games this weekend (Saturday, May 11) and following weekend at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
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