Aiton: we need the 2 points

Hunters' winger Brendon Nima springing away for a try during last week’s match against Tweed Seagulls (Hunters)

PNG Hunters are cued-up to face Brisbane Tigers as they look to conclude the regular round with a strong finish on home soil.

The seventh-placed Hunters have not locked in their finals spot with the two remaining games crucial to determine their fate.

Hunters coach Paul Aiton said they have not slid away from their ultimate aim, but the immediate goal is to win this weekend’s game against Tigers to put them in a better position.

“It's really important for both sides,” he said of the round 22 Hostplus Cup clash.

“I know they [Tigers] don't really have a chance to make it, but they've come off a couple of good wins and I know Churchie and the club, they want to finish off really well, want to finish their season off really strong and they'll most definitely want to spoil our party.

“So, we're just going to prepare really well like we did last week. I thought our preparation during the week was really good.

“Right into the dressing room, you could sense a lot of individual focus. That's all we can control, is what we do and that's all I'm going to ask the boys to do this week.”

Prop forward Junior Rop being tackled by Tweed Seagulls players (Hunters)

Queensland Rugby League competition reigning premiers in Tigers have slipped outside of finals this season but would be looking to spoil the party for Hunters when they meet on Sunday at Santos National Football Stadium.

Former Hunters mentor Matthew Church will lead the team as he prepares to face his former team in Port Moresby.

Aiton was aware of Church’s winning record with Hunters and said having the right frame of preparation was vital to produce positive outcome.

Whilst the possibility of the team playing finals are high, he urged them to be focused on the game.

“We've had those possibilities all season, but I find that as soon as we start taking the focus away from what's at hand, we kind of get lost a little bit sometimes,” Aiton said of the final's aspirations.

“So, I'm just refocusing the boys on this team's not coming here for a holiday. They're going to come and play footy and they're going to try to win and they're going to try to take those two points away from us.

“So, we've just got to be prepared for a tough game. Yeah, exciting time, especially for the squad. Very young and also looking forward to playing a final footy for the first time.