Hunters happy to be home

THE SP PNG Hunters are desperate for a win at home on Sunday against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
Coach Michael Marum said coming off two losses on the road had exposed his relatively new squad to the rigours of playing in the Queensland Cup but he was not making any excuses for his charges.
“We’ve got two more tough games on the road after Sunday’s match against Tweed Heads so we definitely need to win at home and work from there,” Marum said.
The Seagulls beat the reigning champions twice last season edging them 14-10 in round 15 at the National Football Stadium and then beating them 26-18 in the return match in the final round (25).
“They beat us twice last year so I guess we have to pay them back,” he quipped.
While the Hunters home record is exemplary — they lost only two home matches last season — Marum said he hoped the fans turned up in numbers over the Easter weekend to support the side.
“Hopefully we get a good crowd at the NFS to support the boys. It’s Easter so I’m sure they’ll come to see us play.
“We just need to secure the two points and get ready for the next two weeks on the road.”
The Hunters play the Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins in their next two fixtures and are currently in 11th spot on the ladder.
A loss this weekend could see them drop as low as 13th place.
The team picked on the Tuesday remains unchanged with Marum saying any alterations would be made on Saturday during the captain’s run.
Despite languishing in last place and being the only side without a win after three games, Tweed Heads with crafty hooker SamMeskell, pictured, prop Tristan Lumley, fullback Alex Grant and bench forward Sam Saville would be hoping to niggle away at a home side still struggling to find its feet.
Marum was aware of the danger of being complacent and said his men knew what was at stake.
“They’ve (Tweed Heads) got some new players but they have those experienced ones back so we can’t afford to switch off.”
For the Hunters, new halfback Charlie Simon gets the perfect opportunity in front of the home crowd to stake his claim for the No.7 jersey while exciting speedster Edene Gabbie will be more at home on the wing after showing glimpses in the centres against Ipswich in round one.
The only concern would be the size of the pack Marum has picked with Adam Korave starting at prop alongside Moses Meninga and a back-row comprising John Andy, Nixon Put and Rhadley Brawa.
Marum, however, was not bothered with those concerns.
“I’m not worried about our size. Adam (Korave) plays close to the ruck like a prop any way and the others are fit and make yards so they’ll be fine.”
In terms of size, debutants Baundo Aba and Julius Yakopa as well as Muka Peter Kulu provide size and aggression off the extended bench along with prop McKenzie Yei, who was named at No.20 on the reserves list.
Hunters: 1. Stargroth Amean 2. Edene Gabbie 3. Adex Wera 4. Willie Minoga 5. Brendon Gotuno 6. Ase Boas (c) 7. Charlie Simon 8. Moses Meninga 9. Wartovo Puara Jr 10. Adam Korave 11. Nixon Put 12. John Andy 13. Rhadley Brawa Reserves: 14. Watson Boas 15. Baundo Aba 16. Julius Yokopa 17. Muka Peter Kulu 18. Junior Rau 19. Patrick Morea 20. McKenzie Yei (three to be omitted).
Round 4 Fixtures: Thurs, March 29 – Central Queensland Capras v Ipswich Jets; Sat, March 31 – Easts Tigers v Sunshine Coast Falcons, Burleigh Bears v Souths Logan Magpies, Northern Pride v Mackay Cutters, Redcliffe Dolphins v Townsville Blackhawks; Sun, April 1 – SP PNG Hunters v Tweed Heads Seagulls, Norths Devils v Wynnum Manly Seagulls.