Hunters coach Michael Marum hopes to have some of his key players back on field this weekend to take on the premiers Ipswich Jets.
With Brandy Peter replacing forward Timothy Lomai due to a knee injury, halfback Watson Boas forcing his way back into the team and Tuvi Lepan back on the bench, Marum believes some of the key players will hold on and pass their physios to play this weekend.
“We don’t want to risk our players but we hope that they fully recover before taking the field,” Marum said.
“We also have other support players with the two new players recently recruited but they are yet to reach the required level to take the field.”
With only 5 games remaining before the finals, it is an opportunity to meet the premiers again, the team that have beaten them twice already in their away meets, says Marum.
“Jets are a tough team to beat but we hope to swing the ball around and convert opportunities to steal the win.”
Meanwhile, co-captain Noel Zeming is still given weeks off to recover as Hunters’ regular fullback, Stargroth Amean, returns into training camp after being given some time off.
The final 17 men will be announced this afternoon after omitting 3 players.