Thirty three players remain in the SP Hunters pre-season train-on squad after week 3 of intensive training at the National Sports Institute in Goroka last week.
SP Hunters coach, Michael Marum added two academy players – Joseph Mocke (Northern) and Thompson Yakumbu (Highlands) – during the Goroka camp.
The pair will join two Southern academy players Aidan Arusa and Muka Peter Kula when the Hunters pre -season training resumes in Port Moresby next week.
The nine players released after the Goroka camp were Andrew Ipi, Benjamin Hetra, Joe Frank, John Grand Arime, Mafu Kalas, Nixon Borana, Philemon Kimisive, Tau Fitzgerald and William Mone.
Marum said the players will return to their Digicel Cup teams and can make their way back into the Hunters team depending on their performances.
Marum said a final 27 or 28 man squad will be finalised in the next two weeks to take part in the 2017 Queensland Intrust Super Cup competition.
“We will keep a few positions open to allow for these players who will play good football in the Digicel Cup to be included in the Hunters team during the season,” said Marum.
The 33 man squad to go into camp in Port Moresby on January 3, 2017 are: Adex Wera, Aidan Arusa, 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, Joseph Mocke, Junior Rop, Karo Kauna Jnr, Lawrence Tu’u, Moses Meninga, Muka Peter Kula, Nixon Put, Noel Joel, Sailas Gahuna, Stanton Albert, Stargroth Amean, Thompson Yakumba, Wartovo Puara, Watson Boas, Wawa Paul, Wellington Albert, William Aquila and Willie Minoga.