Hunters to break camp

By PARKER TAMBUA
THE Hunters will host their awards night and break camp this week before they kick off the 2023 pre-season in November, says outgoing coach Matthew Church.
He said on Saturday that some players may join the Papua New Guinea Kumuls’ World Cup squad and Prime Minister’s 13 camp in a few weeks’ time.
“We’ve got a few more things to do before we break camp this week,” Church said.
“We will do some medicals and host our awards night before we release the players for the break.
“Some players will stay on for the Kumuls camp, but players will be released before kicking off the pre-season in mid-November.”
Meanwhile, Church said Hunters players were ineligible for the Digicel Cup finals, which would kick off with two elimination matches at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday.
“As far as I know, Hunters players will have to play a certain amount games in the Digicel Cup regular season to qualify for their teams in the finals,” he said.
“So the Hunters players are definitely not allowed to participate.
“Their one-year tenure with the Hunters is active till the end of October. There are a few players who will likely be selected for the Prime Minister’s 13 and the World Cup, so I am sure they won’t risk it.”
Meanwhile, Church praised fullback Tyler Han for his services this season. “Tyler came through the Queensland PNG Kokomos programme,” he said.
“He has been really good for us.
“After losing Matthew Jesse and Terry Wapi to injury, we needed someone to step in and Tyler did well.”