Hunters given reality check

WITH two games left in the regular season, the SP PNG Hunters look set to make the Q-Cup finals but coach Michael Marum says his side need to finish games well after their escape against Tweed Heads.
Despite getting out to a 22-10 lead with 17 minutes left in the round 22 match fixture at Piggabeen Sports Complex on Sunday, the Hunters seemingly took their foot off the gas and allowed the Seagulls to come back and almost force a draw in a thrilling final quarter.
“We had a slow start and a slow finish to the game. We just switched off in that last 15 minutes and were guilty of looking at the scoreboard.
“There was no concentration on our part. I think the boys thought they did enough and Tweed Heads played right down to the final whistle.
“We can’t afford to do that against the top sides,” Marum said.
Marum added that Tweed Heads, whose slim finals hopes ended with the loss, had the benefit of several Gold Coast Titans players in their ranks and they were able to get a roll on late in the second half.
“Tweed had some of their Titans players coming on in the second half and they got their side up. Guys like Leilani Latu, Tristan Lumley and Bryce (pictured) Cartwright, so while we were not in the game in that period of the game.”
The Hunters have no switched their focus to Sunday’s round 23 clash with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls at the National Football Stadium with Marum saying they would review their last match and devise a game plan to nullify their opponents, who were in good form having beaten the Norths Devils over the weekend and won three of their last four.
Marum said while the team was building up on confidence by logging wins they had been given a reality check by Tweed and would not be complacent at home against Wynnum.
Wynnum Manly were beaten 18-16 at home by the Hunters in round 10 and while they are out of contention for a finals spot they have put together several solid performances over the last four rounds having won three games including a gritty 22-10 win over Souths Logan in round 19 and their 26-24 win over the Norths Devils on Sunday proving they will be a dangerous proposition for Marum’s men this weekend.