Malum: Discipline is key to our success

THE Lae Tigers’ 31-10 victory over Mendi Muruks in Lae over the weekend was put down to one reason.
The team showed a facet of its game rarely seen in recent years – discipline.
Coach Steve Malum was satisfied with the win and said it was built on the Tigers being more patient and disciplined.
He said the majority of his squad had not tasted football at the Digicel Cup level but their discipline will allowed to defeat a class outfit.
“To win our first home game was a bonus and it is all down to discipline,” Malum said.
The talent-laden Lae rugby league has not produced a title-winning side since the mid-1990s when players such as John Okul and John Piel took the then Lae Bombers franchise to the top of the competition.
“Tigers’ board and fans believe in discipline. It’s about their own self sacrifice that will lead to victory.”
During the club’s lunch hour “meet the players” gathering at its headquarters at the Speedway in Lae on Friday, players were told to be mindful of their attitudes.
Board member and Lae rugby league treasurer Wallis Pingin reiterated what Malum endorsed saying every player had to be disciplined and follow the team’s structures and patterns and to have confidence in their individual ability and in each other to do the job.
“You must first of all believe in yourself than in others.
“Everything lies in you and you must stay focused.
“You must be very discipline both on and off the field.
“Rugby league is as much in the mind as on the field and it’s not a one-man game. It is all about team work,” Pingin said.
He said most of those players were new to top-tier foottball and acknowledged Malum for instilling discipline in the new squad.
Malum also released his 25-man squad with discipline the cornerstone of his 2012 campaign.
To this end the franchise has shed many of its players.
The only players retained from last year were  Kumul representative Mark Mexico, Sydney Fred, Michael Gawi, Mose Lam and Peter Peyala retained.
Mount Hagen Eagles import George Moni, former Muruks back Travis Waninara and Enga Mioks pivot Mai Tom top the list of recruits while junior Kumuls Kingston Pisep and Graham Pakea are the others.
The Lae Snax Tigers: Asiah Aiye, Charles Martin, Ezekiel Akilo, Frank Kabai, Moni, Pakea, Balkawa, Jackson Pato, John Kamina, Joseph Kingal, Joseph Ninkama, Pisep, Tom, Mexico, Gawi, Rex Reto, Robert Vuia, Richard Reto, Fred, Thomas Kumgi, Timothy Clement, Waninara and Willie Minoga.
Akilo makes a comeback from a season’s spell while Balkawa returns team from Mioks.
Malum will be the head coach while Lae secondary school physical education mentor Dennis Maill will be his assistance, as well as the head trainer.
Dr. Larson Watai is the new team manager and his deputy is Killion Nagan while Ken Kasi will be the team doctor.
Their discipline in defence was great in the opening period of the first half, where 21 points were accumulated, leaving their opponents shaken but as fatigue crept into their game in the second half Muruks hit back with two consolation tries.
That was a wake up call for the Tigers as they closed out the match with a try to man-of-the-match Mai Tom.
Muruks, the three-time premiers, looked like beginners at times with their forwards taking up predicable one up runs land being easy pickings for the Tigers pack.
A high error count did not help as the Muruks were left straggling behind after 40 minutes.