Finals for top-six over for the bottom-six

Hello again to all our rugby league families in Papua New Guinea and overseas. Welcome to the 21st edition of Coach’s Corner in your favourite rugby league newspaper The National.
The PNG National Rugby League Competition-managed Digicel Cup finals begin this weekend in Port Moresby.
The six-team finals format will be used for the first time after two clubs — Central Dabaris and Kimbe Cutters — were added to make it 12 teams. The Mt Hagen Eagles were re-admitted at the expense of the Simbu Warriors.
The Enga Mioks were unlucky to miss out for the first time in a while. The loss of Timothy Lepa may have had an impact.
We’ll never know. But like the other five franchises — Pom Vipers, Gulf Isou, Mendi Muruks, Central Dabaris and Kimbe Cutters — it’s time to review and start planning for next year.
Sunday will see the sudden-death playoffs for four franchises. The losers hang up their boots.
The first game will see the third-placed Rabaul Agmark Gurias take on sixth-placed Hela Wigmen followed by the two most followed teams when defending premiers Goroka Lahanis face the fifth-placed Eagles.
I say most followed because these two teams attract the biggest crowds to the NFS. Business comes to a standstill.
Taxis and PMVs stop operating in the city and vendors take a break from the markets to watch their two provincial teams go head to head.
The pressure will be on for all four franchises. The players and staff must prepare and well.
All eyes are on you whether on or off the field. The two teams who advance will have prepared well. The two who bow out will have only themselves to blame.
The pressure will be on the match officials. Prepare well. Be alert on every play.
You all have come this far. Best of luck. I encourage the spectators and supporters to cheer your teams on passionately. There is no room for violence in this great game of ours.
The game is played on the field. Whatever happens on the field, stays on the field. And there will be only one winner.
The SP Hunters play their 2nd last away game against Instrust Super Cup premiership contenders Wynnum Manly this Sunday in Brisbane.
Our three PNG boys in the Wynnum Manly side — Edene Gabbie, Rhadley Brawa and Edwin Ipape (if they play) — will give their best.
Our boys will no doubt test them. It will be an exciting affair. We have nothing to lose but to gain some credibility and confidence.
The following weekend will see our team up against Redcliffe Dolphins. Both teams play for the Stan Joyce Cup, named after SP boss Stan Joyce.
This game will be the last for Stan to attend as managing director of SP as he is retiring. More in next week’s article.
Preparations for the Broncos tour to Port Moresby are gaining momentum.
At the time of writing this article, both the Broncos women’s teams and Oil Search PNG Orchids teams were finalised.
The Broncos legends, I hear, include some stars and Australian representatives of yesteryears.
Our Port Moresby-based Kumuls legends are in training. The final team was being finalised last night and we should announce both our women’s and legends teams either today or tomorrow.
But I can tell you that we have some players whom you have not heard from or seen in a while taking the field against the Broncos legends.
Tickets are on sale now so get some for yourself, your families and friends and come support the women and legends. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity or you will be disappointed.
One or two regional championships for U20, men’s and women’s have been completed while the others are yet to be done.
Teams will be selected in these three divisions to represent their confederates at the national championships in Lae from Sept 4-7.
Some teams have been selected while others are still in the process. Selectors and scouts will be watching so prepare well for the national championships.
Until next week, play hard, play safe and play by the rules in whatever sport you are taking part in.
And everyone please remember, there is no room for violence anywhere on and off the field.

Cheers Mikz