Hunters players bond well before hunt

THE Hunters are into their second week of the off-season programme and for coach Michael Marum, it is business as usual.
The 30-member squad, assembled at the end of last month, has bonded well according to the 41-year-old, who took the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored side to sixth place in its debut season this year.
“It’s been pleasing to see older players bonding well with the new recruits. 
“We’ve only had a full week of training and it’s good to see that everyone has come in fit and are coping well with the programme,” Marum said from Kokopo yesterday.
“We played our last (Hunters) game in August, so we’ve had a good two-and-a-half-month break.
“Now we’re straight back into training and I can see the returning players are finding it easier after last season’s experience. 
“They know what’s required.”
He said the training regime had not changed apart from a few additional routines added to the skills work.
“Training has been pretty much the same for the team as we did for our first season. 
“If anything we have added one or two more drills but the priority has been doing the basics in skills training, as well as fitness.”
Marum said the players were soaking up the information and directions from head trainer Jason Tassell and were improving on a daily basis.
The team has carried out all field sessions at the Kalabond Oval, while the weight sessions are done at the gym next to the ground. Marum said defence would be the area he would emphasis to his players throughout the off-season and pre-season training as it would be the difference between making the play-offs and missing out.
“We’ll name our final squad for the Queensland Cup before we go for the Christmas break.
“I’m looking at retaining 26 players. 
“Last season we finished with 23 players but this time around, I would like at least 26. 
“That’s how many we are allowed to have so it would be good to have those slots filled.”
Hunters: Adex Wera, Adam Korave, Brandy Peter, Edward Goma, Israel Eliab, Lawrence Tu’u, Noel Zemming, Roger Laka, Sebastine Pandia, Thompson Teteh, Timothy Lomai, Wartovo Puara Jr, Willie Minoga, Stanton Albert, Dion Aiye, Esau Siune, George Benson, Kato Ottio, Henry Wan, Enoch Maki, David Lapua, Stargoth Amean, Warren Glare, Atte Bina Wabo, Ase Boas, Jay Jay Garison, Samuel Koim, Tau Fitzerald, Bland Abavu, Philemon Kimisive.