Dogs ready to grind

By MELTON PAIS
CENTRAL Leg gold pass winners Toks Mix Dogs are in Goroka for the Coca Cola Ipatas Cup Eastern End semifinals despite a lack of sponsorship.
Coach Jimmy Demas Towalaun said he was staying positive despite not being able to garner any support from the business community or the provincial government.
His side won the gold pass in the Central leg in Kwikila three weeks ago and will represent Central tomorrow during the playoffs.
“My team is comprised of more players from Central province and few from Gulf and Highlands who reside in Tokarara, Port Moresby,” Towalaun said.
“We asked the Central government for help but did not get a positive response.
“We can’t control this even though it’s affecting us. We’re just going to g play our best.”
The Mix Dogs have now won two gold passes — they did the same last year.
“We won the last year’s gold pass and went to Goroka and it was a new experience for my boys and even though we go knocked out, we learned for that,” he said.
“This year since we’ve earned another chance we’ve made some changes like having a few more players who are familiar with Highlands rugby league as well as making changes in the way we play. “We’ve done our homework and I think we will be able to handle things this time around.”
Towalaun said the side was facing some immediate challenges like not having any support staff aside from himself as the coach.
“At the moment, I’m doing all the work for the side with some help for the senior guys.
“This is only motivating us to go out there and play well so we don’t waste this chance.”
The Dogs play the Enga Cowboys tomorrow at the Sir Danny Leahy.