Hunters fight until the final whistle

The SP PNG Hunters lost to the Norths Devils with a valiant 24-30 margin in Round 17 of the QRL Hostplus Cup on Sunday, 12 July 2026, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

Getting thrashed last weekend by the merciless Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Brisbane’s Kougari Oval, the Hunters regrouped and delivered a much better performance at home, going down to the Devils with their heads held high.

With a home ground advantage, the Hunters started with high energy and hit the scoreboard first in the 10th minute after Sanny Wabo made a line break and assisted Rex Graham. Trevor Solu failed to convert the try, leaving the score at 4-0.

Unfazed by the lead, the Devils quickly responded with a try in the 13th minute through Brody Tamarua, with Brandon Finnegan successfully slotting the conversion and taking a 6-4 lead over the Hunters.

The home side swung the momentum and dominated the proceedings, with Douglas David scoring in the 19th minute and Rex Graham registering his second try in the 31st minute. Felix Beki converted only one try, retaking the lead 14-4.

Moments later, the visitors bagged their second try through Matthew Milson, reducing the deficit to 14-10. Just before the stroke of halftime, Brandon Finnegan kicked a 2-point field goal outside of the 40-meter line, leaving the score at 14-12.

The Devils started fast and furious in the second stanza, with Matthew Milson crossing over the line for his second try in the 46th minute. Finnegan converted the 4-pointer, with the visitors leading the Hunters by 4 points (18-14).

With a lion’s share of possession, the red-hot Devils scored again in the 59th minute through Lachlan Lewis. Finnegan effortlessly added the extras, extending the Northern men's lead to 24-14.

The Hunters returned the favor in the 64th minute through Bruce Bawase and scored again in the 70th minute through Elijah Roltinga. Trevor Solu failed to convert the tries, leveling the score on 24 points apiece.

Three minutes before full-time, the Hunters were on the attacking raid to steal the win, but Felix Beki’s mistimed grubber saw Kane Rushton block the kick and pick up the ball to score a long-range try and put the game beyond doubt with a 30-24 score line. 

Although coach Paul Aiton expressed disappointment with the result, he credited the boys for stepping up after last week’s humiliation in Brisbane and playing courageously in front of the passionate home crowd.

The cellar-dwelling SP Brewery-sponsored Hunters will travel to North Queensland to face the 10th-placed Townsville Blackhawks in Round 18 of the Hostplus Cup on Sunday, July 19th, at Jack Manski Oval in Townsville.