Hunters’ third season full of promise with Marum

 TOMORROW the Papua New Guinea SP Hunters formally launch their 2016 campaign in Port Moresby. 

If last Saturday’s turn out at the National Football Stadium is any indication, the club’s third season in Queensland’s Intrust Super Cup competition is sure to be avidly followed by the multitude Hunters fans in the nation’s capital and around the country.

The challenge that is on Michael Marum’s shoulders is clear – the team must improve on last year’s performance.

What does that mean exactly? 

Some would say nothing less then winning the 2016 grand final; others would prefer that more talent be picked up by NRL clubs; and the purists among us would hope that the Hunters become a much better club, and team, with the long term hope of earning a place in the National Rugby League.

With the turn over of talent, Marum faces a number of hurdles on his way to the goals outlined.

Firstly, he has to re-set his side after the losses of Israel Eliab, Kato Ottio and Willie Minoga. That means working out new combinations and what best suits the team and the style he wants them to play. 

Secondly, he has to start putting into practice all the good points he learned from his stint at the Brisbane Broncos last month.

The stay with Wayne Bennett would have given the 42-year-old much pause for thought with regards to the running a professional sports team. 

Developing the Hunters on a sound set of principles and sticking by them year-in year-out is what consistency is all about. And in professional sport, consistency coupled with discipline and the thirst for knowledge and developing better ways of doing things is what long term success is built on.

Marum has the tools and the materials to create something special. 

Under him the Hunters will reach the goal.