Finals Week 1 Saturday wrap: Hunters progress in front of passionate crowd

Author: Jorja Brinums QRL content producer
Timestamp: Sat 31 Aug 2024, 08:02 PM

Intensity levels were high in Port Moresby as PNG Hunters and Wynnum Manly Seagulls put everything on the line to progress to week two of the finals.

The physical clash in humid conditions saw the Hunters triumph over a resilient Seagulls side that never gave up, in front of what can only be described as a loud and passionate crowd.

Hunters captain Ila Alu said he was enormously proud of his side.

“We knew Wynnum would be really tough and they were,” Alu said.

“They started really strongly in the first 20 but full credit to us, we remained calm and composed and worked towards ourselves and got the outcome that we wanted. Wasn’t perfect but we got a win and progress onto the next stage.”

Alu said everyone in his side stood up, including hooker Judah Rimbu and Joshua Lau.

“Full credit to Judah today… he’s been enormous for us; big minutes in the middle, which we all know is not easy… Josh Lau too, he’s been tremendous for us and was again today,” Alu said.

“This would not be possible if everyone did not contribute; we all played our part and got the outcome we wanted... couldn’t be more proud.

“It’s been a long wait. First finals for myself and I’ve been at the club a long time… to have this first final here and see the crowd stand up, it makes me emotional. We know this is the start of something special and we can progress form here.

“Couldn’t appreciate the support of everyone here today. Trying times, it’s been hard, but whether we do things right or wrong, we’ve trained as hard as we can to entertain them for 80 minutes… couldn’t be more proud of the turnout. Appreciate everyone that made the sacrifice to be here.”

Absolute scenes in Port Moresby. Photo: Jorja Brinums/QRL

Alu said he had no doubt Sunshine Coast Falcons would be tough next week.

“When we play against them, they always rise to the occasion and we’ll be going up against them at home,” Alu said.

“We didn’t play well when we were there last time… but we’ll go back, regroup and best prepare ourselves to go there. It won’t be easy but we just have to believe in ourselves… our ability has taken us this far... it has taken us there and we will give our best.”

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Saturday 31 Aug

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Hunters

WM Seagulls

Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

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Disappointed Seagulls captain Brendan Frei said “obviously we didn’t save one of our better games for the end of the season”.

“A team like that, you give them too much ball or too much momentum, they’re one of, if not the hardest team in the comp. Fair play to them,” Frei said.

“They worked hard for it, we didn’t give them the respect and at the end of the day, we shot ourselves in the foot with that one.

“I don’t think anyone played bad for us, but I think everyone could agree that probably wasn’t one of our best games. Boys dug deep but it just wasn’t our game today.”

Frei said playing in front of such a massive, loud crowd always brought an intense atmosphere.

“Usually during games you can’t really hear the crowd but playing over here you can definitely hear it. Any time there’s a loose ball or big hit or try, I would say it’s definitely the loudest crowd by far our of anyone in Cup,” Frei said.

“We did expect to go a lot higher and further into the season… it’s very disappointing. It’s hard to speak on it right now because we should be still playing but at the end of the day we put ourselves in this position, and we finished where we finished.

“I want to thank everyone in the Wynnum community and all the fans. They’ve showed up to the Chook Pen and showed up to the field each week and supported us. Without them, it makes this job hard for us to do. Everyone in the Wynnum community, all the surrounding suburbs, thank you for this season. Keen to go again next year.”

Frei said he tipped Northern Pride to go all the way.

“I think it will be very hard to go past Pride,” Frei said.

“Eric Smith, their coach, he’s got those boys firing. They’ve been firing all season, but a team with so much confidence and so much momentum going into the finals, they’ve got some great players but they’re a great team at the end of the day. I’ll be very surprised if they don’t win.”

Central Queensland Capras came out firing against Burleigh Bears in their elimination final in Rockhampton, with Anthony Milford scoring in the first minute to set the tone.

That continued with Capras going into half-time up 18-4, but the Bears can never be discounted and came back hard early in the second half, scoring three tries within 10 minutes through Sami Sauiluma, Hayden Schwass and Kea Pere.

But the Capras - showing plenty of spirit and grit - held on as both teams fought hard to progress; Capras will now face the loser of the game between Redcliffe Dolphins and Norths Devils tomorrow.

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Saturday 31 Aug

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