Coach puts hope in new players

BY BENJAMIN KOITAKA
SP PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum will get to see if his latest combination of players can get the job done on Sunday against the Souths Logan Magpies.
Marum, who warned his charges of pending changes at last week’s post-match press conference, was true to his word on Tuesday naming a side featuring two new faces in Terry Wapi and Gahuna Silas as well as a host of reshuffles and changes that saw Bland Abavu and Junior Rop released from the club, senior players Adex Wera and Ase Boas shifted to the bench due to niggling injuries while Gairo Kapana, Nick Hasu, Kevin Appo and Bando Aba return to the team after spending the last four weeks in the Digicel Cup.
Marum’s disappointment after the Hunters’ 28-6 loss to the Wynnum Manly Seagulls last week was palpable and he said he was looking to do whatever it took to salvage the season which has the side winning just one win and suffering nine losses.
He said it was the worst start to a season by the club and was quickly becoming their worst year and he was looking to Sunday’s Round 11 fixture at the National Football Stadium.
“We are having our worst season and we need to try new things because the same players and combinations have not worked for us,” Marum said.
“We have to find that winning combination and hopefully we can do it against the Magpies who are above us on the ladder.”
He said new recruit Terry Wapi was given a chance after Abavu’s release and Wera’s demotion to the bench.
“We have debutant Terry Wapi coming in for this game so we are hoping he can do a good job for us,” Marum said.
Fixtures: Round 11 Sat, May 25 – Northern Pride v Tweed Heads Seagulls, Townsville Blackhawks v Easts Tigers, Burleigh Bears v Central Queensland Capras, Ipswich Jets v Sunshine Coast Falcons, Mackay Cutters v Redcliffe Dolphins; Sun, May 26 – Norths Devils v Wynnum Manly Seagulls, PNG Hunters v Souths Logan Magpies.