Hunters reassess habits

PAPUA New Guinea SP Hunters are currently sitting 12th on the 15-team Hostplus Cup ladder after recording two wins and four losses, with a bye.
After back-to-back losses against Redcliff Dolphins and Burleigh Bears, coach Paul Aiton and company are looking for answers in hopes of saving their season and to avoid another year without a finals appearance.
The SP Brewery-sponsored side have struggled to win away games in recent years and have failed to finish in the top-8 since the 2017 season.
Aiton said individual preparation has been a key area that the team have been discussing, however he said it’s up to the players to be responsible.
“You can’t just rock up with your boots on the game day, you have to think about the game, when you come to training you bring your note pad and take notes after the session, that’s individual preparation,” Aiton said at the club’s training yesterday.
“You can’t just show up at a game and just play, at this level or in any professional club you can’t do that.
“When we travel out for away games, each player has to take note of time of travel. For example, for this weekend, we are traveling to Cairns and then we have a bus trip to Townsville so you have to prepare for that.
“If you buy a new boot, you cannot wear it if you are playing the next day, you have to wear it at training first for couple of days and then you can wear it on game day to avoid injuries, and players have to be responsible.”
Halfback Jamie Mavoko yesterday said individual preparations was a factor that may have contributed to the team’s performance and each a player should be mindful of what they do leading up to game days.
Front-rower Anthony Worot shared the same sentiment, saying players were responsible in preparing themselves mentally, controlling their diet and resting before game day.
Hunters will travel to Townsville to face the Blackhawks on Sunday in Hostplus Cup round 8 match.