PNG Hunters

He described the season as a wonderful effort considering the many challenges the Hunters had to overcome.

Cutmore pointed out the Hunters had travelled much longer distances to get to games than any other club in the Intrust Super Cup competition.

“The Hunters finished the 2015 regular season in second spot and fell one game shy of making a historical grand final appearance.

“They deserve better. They deserve a lot more credit than what they have been getting,” said Cutmore.

He said coach, Michael Marum and his staff have done a wonderful job so far.

It was a grandstand finish with Townsville pressing until the end – but they could not pin back the Jets who inflated the score line with a try to Manly Sea Eagles-bound hooker Matt Parcell in the final seconds of the game.

One of only three foundation clubs to have not won the Queensland / Intrust Super Cup – the Jets claimed their first major silverware in style – despite being on the back foot early.

Coach Michael Marum was pleased with his players for holding out a fast finishing star-studded Townsville Blackhawks side, 28-26.

Tigers are an equally strong side which has a vast amount of experience. They missed out on the premiership last year, taking home the runners-up flag.

The last time the two teams met, at the Tap Out Energy Stadium, Tigers ran out victors 14-8.

The Tigers are coming off a comprehensive 56-22 victory over Central Queensland Capras last round with three players collecting doubles in their 10 tries to 4 whitewash of the opposition.