The SP PNG Hunters have ended their seven-year finals drought following a comprehensive 46-12 drubbing over the last-placed Western Clydesdales in front of the packed Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday, August 24th, 2024.
Sadly, the Hunters’ big win over the Clydesdales came with a price as they lost a couple of players through concussion and ankle injuries, such as Clent Lama, Alex Max, Jordan Pat, Valentine Richard, and Jamie Mavoko. Lama, Max and Pat will not appear in the elimination final, while Richard and Mavoko are still under injury cloud.
“At one stage, we had only Finley Glare on the bench with three interchanges left, so I had to possibly save two, because I don’t know whether they were going to come out or not. I wanted to actually rest a few guys earlier, but we couldn’t do that,” Aiton explained of the players' injuries.
“We had Clent Lama, Jordan Pat and Alex Max ruled out. There are a few niggling injuries that we will monitor and see whether or not they can play, without risking their health.”
Aiton said the players must not get ahead of themselves, as they still have unfinished business. Finals atmosphere is a different ball game altogether, but he wanted the players to stick to the process and play simple footy.
“It has not sunk in yet. We try to keep everything calm and similar to the season. We were tied fourth with the Falcons on points, but their for-and-against was better than us,” he said.
“We discussed how we finished well and will have the opportunity to play in the finals. The only thing we can control is turning up and training well, so that’s what we are focusing on.”
The Hunters defeated the Seagulls in their previous encounter, so the Brisbane-based franchise will want to take revenge on Aiton’s men. He mentioned that the Seagulls would come prepared, so they must get ready to counter them.
“They (Seagulls) are sitting 8th on the ladder. They are a quality side. They’ll come here and ready to go, like all the teams do. Now it’s in the finals so I’m sure they’ll be up for the game and we are ready to face them,” said Aiton.
Before the start of the season, the rugby league gurus and lab predictors gave the Hunters no chance to appear in the finals. However, under the mentorship of rookie coach Paul Aiton, the SP Brewery-sponsored franchise defied the odds, weathered the storm, and proved everyone wrong, securing a finals berth for the first time since 2017.
During the reign of then coach and current East New Britain Governor, Hon. Michael Marum, the Hunters won their maiden premiership in 2017. After his departure to pursue a political career, the PNG’s flagship team struggled to play in the finals.
From 2017-2024, the Hunters have had three different coaches running the show. The former Lae Snax Tigers coach, Stanley Tepend, succeeded Marum. He coached the Hunters for three seasons and was replaced by Matthew Church. Church served the club for two seasons and cut ties with the team prematurely in 2023.
Then at the end of 2023 season, the board and management of Hunters signed former Kumul great and assistant coach to both Tepend and Church, Paul Aiton. With so much at stake, Aiton took the opportunity with both hands and transformed the Hunters into premiership contenders in the 2024 Hostplus Cup.
To break a seven-year finals drought is a small but significant achievement for Aiton in his rookie coaching season. He credited his players who adhered to the process and played fundamental football, which has culminated to the Hunters' playoff berth after seven years in the wilderness.
Coach Paul Aiton and his men are looking forward to their do-or-die elimination final against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls on Saturday, August 31st, 2024, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
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