QRL Hostplus Cup

Hunters prop, Koso Bandi, will run off the bench in the match, and is already anticipating a tough encounter against the visiting Pride.

The Northern Pride is currently sitting atop the QRL Hostplus Cup Competition points ladder with an impressive five wins, two loses and a draw and looks to snatch another win to their name when they take on the Hunters later today.

The Dolphins also cement their second spot on the QRL Hostplus Cup points ladder with 10 points, and the Hunters are in 11^th place with six points.   

In Round 2 of the 2024 QRL Hostplus Cup season, this Saturday, the Hunters will take on CQ Capras, a match in which they hope to maintain their win streak.

Hunters Coach Paul Aiton, though not overwhelmed by the first win, highlighted some areas in their game management and especially in their discipline that needed improvement, if they are to be competitive this season.

Despite coming off a recent loss to premiership leaders Souths Logan last weekend, the Hunters will bring plenty of confidence into this weekend’s fixture following a promising block of games over the last month.  
 
A stretch of four straight home games at the Santos National Football Stadium gave the Hunters a great opportunity to build into the season. Two big wins over the Tweed Seagulls and Western Clydesdales backed up a narrow loss to finals bound club the Northern Pride and followed by a tough blow against the Magpies.  
 

They chased down a 22-point lead and almost coming away with the result in a 28-24 loss to the Wynnum Manly Seagulls on Saturday afternoon.

The form the Hunters displayed in this game was in complete contrast to their Round 9 performance the previous week.

The Hunters will play out the 2023 season on home soil for the first time in almost three years, having been relocated to the Gold Coast in seasons ‘21 and ‘22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The anticipation of bringing Queensland Cup rugby league back to Port Moresby is a driving force for the Hunters this year but they will have to play without the home ground advantage on Sunday when they meet the Clydesdales in Toowoomba.

Season 2023 is shaping as a new era for the Hunters with a new coaching staff and a host of changes to the playing squad.