<![CDATA[PNG Hunters - Coach\'s Corner]]>Sun, 31 Aug 2025 14:47:28 +1000Weebly<![CDATA[Hunters Coach : We need to work on game management]]>Thu, 29 Apr 2021 12:46:03 GMThttps://hunters.pngfacts.com/coachs-corner/hunters-coach-we-need-to-work-on-game-managementPicture
Hello everyone, welcome to the 11th ‘Churchie’s Comment’ for the year in your favourite rugby league newspaper — The National.
Round five saw the SP Hunters face hosts Burleigh Bears for the Kokoda Cup at Pizzey Park on the Gold Coast.
The match was a physical encounter with both teams up for the challenge. The Hunters failed to apply enough pressure throughout the match to capitalise on all our hard work.
We missed the experience of injured pair Epel Kapinias and Wartovo Puara Jr for the game.
In saying this, we still felt that it was an opportunity missed on the weekend. We competed hard till the end and I’m happy with our effort in the game. We need to work on our game management and this is something that comes with time and experience.
We have a young group in terms of experience at Intrust Super Cup level. While we lack experience, these players do bring a lot of energy. While we love the energy, sometimes in the game situations the extra exuberance takes the individual out of the system. Especially our defensive system, a player trying to solve a problem on their own takes them out of alignment. The best defensive teams defend as a team, not individually.
We tried to solve too many problems by ourselves. A vital lesson to take away from the game is that we are stronger together.
After the game, we farewelled Watson Boas in a brief team meeting. Boas returned to the United Kingdom on Monday and we bade farewell to him and wished him the best of luck for the season ahead with Doncaster.
His departure opens the door for an opportunity in the halves. We have used young Judah Rimbu sparingly in the first five rounds, looking for opportunities to play him in the halves. We managed to get him a few minutes against the Falcons a few weeks ago.
While Rimbu has come on and played out of position, he has played up-tempo while remaining calm and measured. There’s a lot to like about this youngster, he will get the first opportunity to make that spot his own and I look forward to seeing him develop as a Hunter.
We head into a bye week, this comes at a good time for our programme and a few of our players. This rest should allow a few injuries to heal and a few more numbers to select from, when we play round six.
Until next week, stay safe, play safe and let’s all respect and be kind to each other.

Cheers,
Matt
]]><![CDATA[Setting a strong foundation for Hunters]]>Thu, 12 Mar 2020 23:19:25 GMThttps://hunters.pngfacts.com/coachs-corner/setting-a-strong-foundation-for-huntersPicture
HELLO everyone, welcome to the eighth edition of Churchie’s Comment for the year in your favourite rugby league newspaper — The National.
Competitive football returns tonight with the Parramatta Eels and the Canterbury Bulldogs kicking off round one of the National Rugby League.
The SP Hunters have to wait until Sunday to kick off our season against the Souths Logan Magpies in Brisbane in round one off the Queensland Intrust Super Cup.
Last week provided us the opportunity to get away from football and recharge the batteries for the season ahead.
I enjoyed some downtime and got to spend time with my wife and family. It’s re-energised me so hopefully the players and staff got that same energy.
We named our round-one team on Tuesday with a number of new players in our squad of 21.
Today, we narrow that down to the travelling 18-man squad.
This will include at least a couple of players looking to make their SP Hunters debut.
I’m also making my coaching debut and while I’m excited that the moment will come with great pride, I’m more excited and proud of the players making their own debuts.
Looking across the whole squad, we have a total of 567 games experience at the Intrust Super Cup level.
Across the competition, that makes us one of, if not, the least experienced team in the Intrust Super Cup.
Looking at teams like premiers Burleigh Bears, Townsville Blackhawks and Redcliffe Dolphins, their experience at this level or higher is around 1,200-plus.
Basic statistics say that we are a year or two away with matching that experience with those teams.
We are certainly going to go through some challenges this season, we are aware that our performances last year need to be improved on.
As we continue to build our experience at this level, we should be able to build our level of performance.
I am not shying away from the fact that we need to be better, nor am I trying to find excuses.
I knew when I accepted the job that I had a lot of work to do and that turning around performances would take hard work and time.
A couple of things I know after 20 years as a carpenter is hard work and the need to have a strong foundation to build on.
I love the passion that all the fans of the SP Hunters have.
It’s a fan base is like no other and not only succeeds ISC clubs but would rival many NRL teams’ supporter base.
That has been vital to our success over the past six seasons.
Most fans are realistic and understand that our performances late last year are a long way off winning consistently.
We start our season under the understanding that we want to restore pride, not just for ourselves but for you — our partners and loyal fans.
Until next week, let’s respect and be kind to each other.

Cheers,
Matt
]]>