Muruks, Tigers draw battle lines for DEM Cup Decider

Two Lae-based clubs, the PRK Mendi Muruks and Lae Snax Tigers, will lock horns and battle for supremacy in the 2025 Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup Grand Final on Sunday, September 14th, at the famous Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. 

Both clubs boast similar premiership records, with the Muruks claiming the semi-professional competition four times (1996, 2006, 2007, 2008), while the Tigers clinched the coveted title four times as well (2016, 2017, 2019, 2021). 

With the Tigers clinching the DEM Cup title in 2021, they are hungry to bag another premiership after three years, while the Muruks' last premiership success was in 2008, and they are also upbeat to snatch the elusive silverware this season.

In their two clashes during the regular season, the Muruks defeated the Tigers twice. However, the Tigers clawed their way back to stun the Muruks in the major semi-final and advanced to the grand final. The Mendi men are pumped to exact revenge on the Tigers in the big dance.

Muruks’ coach Roderick Puname said it was good to lead the Southern Highlands franchise to the DEM Cup grand final for the first time since 2012, anticipating breaking the 17-year premiership hoodoo. 

“Our last grand final was in 2012, so it feels good to lead the Muruks back to the grand final. It’s been a long time coming for the club. In saying that, we still have one more game to go. We are not getting ahead of ourselves, but we are pleased to be here for our supporters, especially our sponsor,” Puname stated.

Coach Puname added that a few of his players had been suspended due to disciplinary issues on the field, so he has encouraged them to play physically, but be disciplined and stick to their game plan. 

Captain Mark Tony, who won the title with the Tigers in 2021 and played four grand finals already, mentioned that he is prepared to lead his teammates and deliver the 5th premiership for the passionate Southern Highlanders.

“This will be my fifth grand final. It’s a great feeling leading the boys out to play the grand final. It’s a big moment, and it counts down to little things that we do on and off the field. Whatever we do will contribute to the team’s success or failure,” skipper Tony said.

“Most of the players will taste their first grand final. We have a couple of experienced players and young boys as well. As a captain, I must talk and lead by example. My actions will motivate the players.”

In addition, Tigers’ coach Noel Zeming said they had a new team following the departure of a few players to the PNG Hunters, but they are slowly building a strong side, thanks to the club’s academy that keeps churning out talented players every year.  

“This year is a totally new team. We started building the team in 2023 and lost a lot of players to the Hunters, but I think we’ve made a good selection this year by selecting the young players who came in and fitted well into our system,” Zeming explained.

Captain Terry Wapi, despite playing more than a decade in the DEM Cup and representing the PNG Hunters and PNG Kumuls, has never played in the grand final. The journeyman said it was a sigh of relief to make his first appearance in the decider.

“This will be my first appearance in the grand final and I’m really excited. Our preparations have been good, the boys are prepared, and we are looking forward to facing our brothers Muruks, on Sunday,” Wapi said.

Meanwhile, the Tigers will want to give a fitting send-off for the veteran campaigner, Supa Kokote, who will hang up his boots, but the Muruks are ready to spoil the party and create their own history. This decider promises physical confrontation, tactical brilliance, and unforgettable moments.