A run of games on home soil at the Santos National Football Stadium saw the Hunters catapult themselves up the QRL ladder, with big wins over finals-bound clubs Tweed Seagulls, Sunshine Coast Falcons, and Central Queensland Capras.
The Hunters found a winning formula during that period and now have the game plan to challenge the top teams in the competition.
By powering through the middle and compressing the defence around the ruck, the Hunters are now consistently building towards scoring actions on the edges.
Halfback Jamie Mavoko –playing in just his second season in the QRL Hostplus Cup –and fellow rookie five-eighth Sakias Komati have combined smartly this season to bring the Hunters strike outside backs into the game.
Rodrick Tai, Solo Wane, Brandon Nima, Junior Igila and fullback sensation Morea Morea have all been afforded opportunities to positively impact results thanks to the work of their forward pack and spine players.
Throughout the season, the Hunters have also enjoyed excellent contributions from some lesser known or established players.
The likes of Joshua Mire, Joshua Lau, Whallan Tau-Loi, Tommy Moide and Trevor Solu have all risen to the challenge this year and given this Hunters squad a depth they’ve not had in previous seasons.
This new-and-improved Hunters side face a stern test this Sunday with the fifth placed Brisbane Tigers waiting for them at Totally Workwear Stadium.
These two clubs last met in Round 3 earlier this season, when Church’s Tigers snuck away with a two-point victory. No doubt the Hunters will be desperate to make amends for that narrow loss this weekend.
The Tigers will also be hungry when they take the field on Sunday, having suffered a heavy defeat to the Tweed Seagulls in Round 18.
That loss to Tweed arrested a three-game winning streak for the Tigers, who have scored three tries or more in every match going back to Round 7.
Tigers are one of the better attacking teams in the competition with NRL-quality players littered across their lineup.
The likes of Corey Thompson, George Jennings, Ryley Jacks and Kane Bradley will give the Tigers a wealth of experience and attacking talent on Sunday afternoon.
Player to watch is PNG Hunters captain Ila Alu who has been in inspired form since returning from injury in Round 14.
As one of the club’s most experienced campaigners, the Hunters are a much-improved outfit with Alu on the field.
He has a good feel for the game and offers invaluable leadership and direction on both sides of the ball. 
