Tony thrilled to make Hunters train-on squad

By PARKER TAMBUA
DIGICEL Cup premiership-winning Lae Tigers five-eighth Mark Tony says he is thrilled to finally make the SP Hunters’ train-on squad after trying to do so for the last five years.
The 25-year-old, from Lufa, Eastern Highlands, told The National last week that he had high hopes of a Hunters call-up after reaching a fourth-straight grand final in the domestic competition.
The former Goroka Lahani won his third title this year when the Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored Tigers beat Waghi Tumbe in the grand final at the Oil Search National Football in Port Moresby in September.
“It feels great to finally get a call-up from the Hunters,” said Tony, who made his inter-city debut with Mendi Muruks in 2017.
“Five years is a long time, I failed in all those years.
“But 2021 is a great year for me and I am proud to achieve my goal.
“This is not the final squad, but I’m excited to be named in the train-on group.”
Tony said he would do his best in the pre-season to impress head coach Matthew Church and make the final 26-man squad who would leave for Australia at the end of January.
“Obviously, the next target is to make the final squad,” the Hairo villager said.
“It will take a lot of hard work to achieve that.
“My family and at Bodiam, 6-Mile, Port Moresby, want to see me get there, just as much as I do.
“They have been supportive of me throughout my rugby league career and I’m grateful to them,” he said.