Gabbie in doubt

Sports

By ISAAC LIRI
SP PNG Hunters fullback Edene Gabbie could miss Sunday’s round 23 Q-Cup match against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls says coach Michael Marum.
The speedster pulled out midway through a training session yesterday at the National Football Stadium after aggravating a right ankle injury picked up in Sunday’s 22-18 win over the Tweed Head Seagulls.
Marum said Gabbie was named in the side for the weekend but his availability would be confirmed by the end of the week.
“Edene pulled out of training today with a sore ankle he got on Sunday but it’s an old injury so we’re just managing it and hopefully he will be alright to play,” Marum said.
Marum added that the 24-year old was dealing with a family bereavement and could leave the camp.
“Edena also has a death in the family. His elder brother passed away recently so we might give him some time off to deal with that.
“If Edene is not cleared to play this weekend than we can push Willie Minoga into the centres and Adex Wera can play there at fullback.
“We’ve got Paul Wawa there as well who can fill in anywhere in the backs, he played well for the Enga Mioks in the Digicel Cup and his back with us in camp. But Adex would be the one to cover if Edene is unavailable,” Marum added.
Other injury concerns in camp are Watson Boas, who according to Marum, is not a hundred percent with his right knee and shoulder still causing discomfort and Wera as well who has a back injury.
The medical team visited the team last night and will confirm the availability of the injured players by Friday.
“We have players carrying minor injuries but they still want to play this weekend because it’s the last home game, but we’ll have to go with the medical advice we get,” Marum said.
“This weekend is a big game for us, it’s another must-win, last year we also played Wynnum Manly around this time and we got the minor premiership but this time we’re fighting for a spot in the top six.”
Marum named an unchanged line-up but added that there could be changes made after the captain’s run on Saturday.
Wynnum Manly have yet to win a game in PNG and were beaten 18-16 by the Hunters in round 10 when the sides met in Brisbane.
The Seagulls, who are a feeder club the Brisbane Broncos, have named a side with the impactful Shaun Nona in the lead playmaking role at five-eighth and dangerous backs Delouise Hoeter and Daniel Ogden.
The sides have played eight times since 2014 with the Hunters having won seven times and and losing one.
The Seagulls have been in decent form over the last month of football having beaten top six contenders Souths Logan and Norths. SP Hunters: 1. Edene Gabbie 2. Junior Rau 3. Thompson Teteh 4. Adex Wera 5. Brendan Gotuno 6. Ase Boas (c) 7. Watson Boas 8. Enoch Maki 9. Wartovo Puara Jr 10. Moses Meninga 11. Nixon Put 12. Willie Minoga 13. Stanton Albert; Reserves: 14. Charlie Simon 15. Ila Alu 16. Rhadley Brawa 17. Dilbert Isaac 18. McKenzie Yei 19. Gahuna Silas 20. Butler Morris.