Competing in finals for the first time is momentous: Rop

PNG Hunters are embracing the finals feeling as they prepare for an important game this weekend against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

The team was in an intense training session today with prop forward Junior Rop back in the pitch after staying out in last weekend’s contest, due to Head Injury Assessment [HIA].

Rop is amidst the majority of the youthful Hunters side who will make their maiden Hostplus Cup finals appearance on homesoil this Saturday.

The charging forward said competing in the finals was one of his goals since joining Hunters in 2019 and would be a momentous occasion to play in front of fans and family.

“I haven’t played in finals, so this is a big moment in my life and hopefully I won’t let the team down,” Rop said of playing finals footy.

“It’s a big thing to ourselves, to our families and the club so we’re looking forward to complementing it with a win.”

The Port Moresby-based club were all excited this morning at training with a fresh mindset, taking on the hard yards and refining the process.

The PNG Kumuls barnstorming forward said the hype in camp has elevated after Hunters picked up a gutsy 46-12 win over the Western Clydesdale in the last round of the Queensland Rugby League competition.

Brushing aside the exhilaration, the barnstorming prop said they’re engrossed in what is ahead of them, and that is the elimination finals.

“The vibe is higher now, but we try to control ourselves and not get too comfortable with this,” he said.
“We’re trying to focus on the daily training and get ourselves right. It’s a big event (finals) but we’re looking at each day to get better and play our best.”

Teammate Kosi Bandi also echoed similar sentiments, uplifting a sense of unity and determination around the camp as team members look forward to a one-in-a-lifetime game.

Bandi said this Saturday’s game would be the pinnacle of his rugby league career.
“I joined last season, hoping we would make it through, but we didn’t and fortunately this year we’re in the finals,” Bandi said.

“It's huge thing to compete in the finals and I’m glad that I’m part of the team that ended the Hunters finals drought.”

Hunters coach Paul Aiton is treating the finals series as any other regular game in the competition but the match against Seagulls could potentially brew the 2017 premiership spirit.