Hunters wary of Gebbie

By JACK AMI
SUNDAY’S Round 10 Intrust Super Cup clash against high-flying Wynnum Manly Seagulls offers the SP PNG Hunters a chance to clinch their first home win of the season.
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To date, the sole win for coach Michael Marum’s team came in Round 6 away to the CQ Capras but the club is in the midst of its worst start to a season with eight losses from nine games – their only bright spot a 28-10 win in Emerald on April 13.
Aside from gunning for their second win of 2019, Hunters players are also looking to impress national selectors ahead of next month’s Pacific Test against Samoa in Sydney.
One player who has all but guaranteed his place in Marum’s Kumuls squad is Seagulls fullback Edene Gebbie, who returns to the National Football Stadium for the first time since leaving the Hunters in the offseason.
Marum acknowledge Gebbie’s irresistible form in the competition with the 24-year-old Koiari man having the most run metres (1980m), average run metres (220m) and tackle breaks (66) from the first nine rounds.
“We have a game plan for Wynnum and we are aware of Edene and the form he has been in but we need to make sure we compete well ourselves and score points so we can have a chance to win this game,” Marum said.
Despite sitting second last on the Q-Cup ladder on 2 points, The Hunters are only six points — or three wins — outside the top eight and victory on Sunday would not only inch Marum’s men closer to a finals berth but build on the team’s confidence with 13 games (seven at home) left in the season after the weekend.
“We’re working hard and can only keep believing in ourselves and our systems and that’s why a good start on Sunday is really important,” Marum, who shifted veteran Adex Wera to the custodial role for the match, said.
Justin Yoka, who had an impact off the bench in the 24-14 loss to the Townsville Blackhawks before the bye weekend, starts in the halves for the first time since Round 5.
Hunters have won six of the nine games played between the sides since 2014 with the Seagulls yet to win in PNG.
The Hunters won the last game against Wynnum Manly 40-16 in Round 23 last year at the NFS.
Hunters: 1. Adex Were, 2. Bland Abavu, 3. Paul Wawa, 4. Brandon Nima, 5. Brendon Gotuno, 6. Ase Boas, 7. Justin Yoka, 8. Moses Meninga (c), 9. Patrick Morea, 10. Enoch Maki, 11. McKenzie Yei, 12. Epel Kapinias, 13 Dilbert Isaac; Interchange: 14. Charlie Simon, 15. Baundo Aba, 16. Daniel Tapol, 17. Jordan Pat; Reserves: 18. Gairo Kapana, 19. Shane Haro, 20. Nick Hasu.
Fixtures: Rd 10 – Sat, May 18: Tigers v TH Seagulls, Pride v Devils; Sun, May 19: Capras v Dolphins, Hunters v WM Seagulls, Magpies v Jets, Blackhawks v Falcons.