Nine debutants have been named in the SP Hunters squad for 2017.
The 29-man squad was made public this afternoon at a press conference at the National Football Stadium by Hunters coach, Michael Marum.
The new faces that make up the Hunters for this year's campaign in the Intrust Super Cup competition are: Anderson Benford, Radley Bawa, Eddie Dafa, Junior Rop, Karo Kauna Jnr, Moses Meninga, Nixon Put, Wawa Paul and Wellington Albert.
Marum says 14 players are continuing on from the 2016 season while the other six, including former captain Israel Eliab, Lawrence Tu'u and David Loko, are making their return to the side.
"The PNG Rugby Football League board through chairman, Sandis Tsaka and Hunters chairman, Graham Osborne, have endorsed the squad," said Marum.
Marum finished by thanking the sponsors, including SP Brewery, Air Niugini, the National Gaming Control Board, PNG LNG, Trukai and the media for their continued support.
"We will give it our best shot and hopefully go all the way," said Marum.
The Hunters squad for 2017:
Adex Wera, Anderson Benford, Ase Boas, Bland Abavu, Radley Bawa, Butler Morris, David Loko, Eddie Dafa, Edward Goma, Enoch Maki, Esau Siune, Henry Wan, Ismael Balkawa, Israel Eliab, Junior Rop, Karo Kauna Jnr, Lawrence Tu'u, Moses Meninga, Nixon Put, Noel Joel, Sailas Gahuna, Stanton Albert, Stargroth Amean, Wartovo Puara, Watson Boas, Wawa Paul, Wellington Albert, William Aquila and Willie Minoga.
Marum said the captain of the side will be named at the launch of the Hunters season at the end of this month.
The Hunters will play one trial match against the Northern Pride in Cairns on February 18 before the season kicks off on the first week of March.