SP PNG HUNTERS DETERMINED TO MAINTAIN MOMENTUM

SP PNG Hunters.

SP PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum will be expecting his troops to reward an expected massive crowd of PNG supporters with a strong performance against North’s Devils this afternoon.

After a brilliant start to their debut season in the season opener against Redcliffe Dolphins, the Hunters form on the road has been mixed. Their second win was against bottom-placed Sunshine Coast Falcons.

The other games in Australia were a 20-all draw against Easts Tigers, loses to Ipswich Jets and a narrow one to the Burleigh Bears, which didn’t do much harm to their reputation as a football team that must be respected despite their inexperience at this level of competition.

The bulk of their points which has propelled the Hunters to third spot on 15 behind Northern Pride 16 – who have one game in hand – and Jets on 18 – have come from games at home in Kokopo.

The latest was last week’s come-from-behind nail-baiter against Wynnum Manly whom they beat 32-22 to displace from third spot.

Wynnum have a Round 12 bye and are guaranteed two points to take them to 16 points, the same position North’s would move to by winning on Sunday.

That’s the last thing Marum and the Hunters want and last week’s courageous win by a side - half of whom have averaged a game or two this season - will have given the team a huge boost in morale and confidence.

With the return of his three big guns Timothy Lomai (suspension), Willie Minoga and Dion Aiye (injury), Marums playing stocks are bolstered as they look for their third win on the road against a quality Norths Devils outfit.

The team leaves for Australia on Saturday.

The game at 2pm on Sunday will be telecast live on Hitron and Channel 8 with a delayed coverage on EMTV at 7pm for PNG viewers.