Hunters preseason starts late, see improvement

By PARKER TAMBUA
THE Hunters preseason got off to a slow start late last year but the side have seen big improvements with players adjusting to life under new coach Matthew Church.
Captain Ase Boas said that during the Hunters’ Queensland Intrust Super Cup season launch at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby last week.
Boas said team bonding and communication between the players and the Australian was good.
He said three months of training had been intense with the entire team putting in the hard yards as they aim to bounce back from a dismal campaign last season.
“The remaining players from last year and the new players who have really stamped their mark in training,” Boas said.
“They are all looking forward for the season to start. They have showed in training that they are ready.
“Their focus all preseason was about restoring the pride of the Hunters.”
Boas said at times last season, his men had struggled to contain their bigger and taller opponents but he added that Church had outlined strategies to address the issue.
“We worked a lot on this problem during the offseason,” he said.
“But coach (Matthew Church) has gone through with us some defensive techniques during the preseason.
“One way is to cut those taller opposition down quickly and back it up with strength when they are on their way down.
“We trust the process and what we go through in training so we are good and looking forward for the season to start.”