Simon ready for lead role

By ISAAC LIRI
BEING chief playmaker for the SP PNG Hunters this season will be Charlie Simon’s greatest challenge.
Having 21 Q-Cup games under his belt since making his debut last year, the 26-year-old is the most experienced half in camp at the moment.
Simon has become the No.1 choice half by default after the departure of Ase Boas and Watson Boas to the Featherstone Rovers in the United Kingdom.
Simon, who played a handful of games in the halves but came off the bench for the majority of his Q-Cup games, said building a halves combination in camp was a work in progress with new recruits Nick Hasu, Jerry Teme and Justin Yoka as well as two-season squad member William Mone.
“In terms of combinations especially in the halves, we are finding it a bit hard now especially without the Boas brothers,” Simon said.
“We have some new halves in camp and we’re taking time to build up something so they can understand our game.
“As time goes on we know that we will find a way to build a good combination and move on in the season,” Simon said of the Hunters who play their first Q-Cup match against the Tweed Heads Seagulls on March 10.
“There are a lot of new boys in camp as well and the senior players have been doing a lot of taking during training to inspire the new ones coming into the system.
“The Intrust Super Cup is faster than what the new players are used to in the Digicel Cup and that is why some of us are talking and leading by example to improve on the areas that are lacking,” Simon, who led the Lae Tigers to a premiership win in 2017, said.
“We were looking forward to the planned trial against the Brisbane Broncos so we could have a fair idea on where we are but now that is cancelled it won’t stop us from going forward.
“I am ready for what responsibility coach Michael Marum gives me. If he wants me to take on the goal kicking duties as well then I will have to give it 100 percent.
“I am happy that a lot of new faces are in camp making the team look young and some of us as experience guys in camp and working together to look forward to the long season ahead of us.”
Hunters squad: 1. Adex Wera, 2. Baundo Aba, 3. Bland Abavu, 4. Brendan Nima, 5. Butler Morris, 6. Charlie Simon, 7. Daniel Tapol, 8. Dilbert Isaac, 9. Enoch Maki, 10. Epel Kapinias, 11. Gairo Kapana, 12. Ila Alu, 13. Jack Oii, 14. Jerry Teme, 15. Joe Frank, 16. Joe Joshua, 17. Jordon Pat, 18. Junior Rau, 19. Junior Rop, 20. Justin Yoka, 21. Kevin Appo, 22. McKenzie Yei, 23. Moses Meninga, 24. Nick Hasu, 25. Patrick Morea, 26. Rex Kaupa, 27. Sonny Wabo, 28. Shane Haro, 29. Stanton Albert, 30. Wawa Paul, 31. William Mone, 32. Woods Kawage.