Finley Glare is set to come into the SP PNG Hunters side as the replacement for Jamie Mavoko for this Saturday’s clash against the Northern Pride.
Finley is the younger brother of former SP PNG Hunter Warren Glare; the Lae City junior was the captain of the Junior Kumuls that played the Australian School boys last year in Port Moresby.
The young utility is a promising dummy half and has been at rake for the Hunters off the interchange bench.
The inclusion of Glare at halfback is a show of trust by Coach Paul Aiton who is currently short on halve pairings, with both Sakias Komati and Jamie Mavoko unable to take the field due to injury and concussion.
Glares inclusion comes after recently returned halfback Jamie Mavoko was stood down this weekend, after a failed category one (1) Head Injury Assessment (HIA), this happened during the team’s 52 to 16 win over the Townsville Blackhawks in round eight (8) last week.
Glare will partner fellow Lae Snax Tigers team mate, Joshua Lau in the halves.
The young duo will have a tough task ahead this weekend, however, Coach Paul Aiton says his side is preparing well for the clash this Saturday.
Coach Paul Aiton commended the teams dominating performance against the Blackhawks in Townsville last week which saw the Hunters score nine tries and Jamie Mavoko with the boot nailing eight out of nine conversions.
The performance by the SP PNG Hunters to dominate the Blackhawks has sparked new life into the team.
All along Coach Paul Aiton has been talking about sticking to their game plan and having trust in the players, but this weekend they face their biggest opponent yet.
For the Hunter, taking on competition leaders the Northern Pride at home is a huge contrast and challenge for the Hunters who are 10th out of 15 teams.
Coach Aiton added that the team are starting to grasp the systems and processes in their game plan and with the teams performance last weekend they look to maintain that consistency as they take on the competition leaders on Saturday.
“We were individually prepared, we are understanding our systems and processes a lot more, and the reduction of our errors and penalties we reduced that quite a lot, its about having faith in what we’re doing, don’t stray away from what we are doing, even though it looks like its not working it will work, we just have to stay with it.
“I am looking forward to it, I know the guys are looking forward to it as well, it will be a good measure for us the Northern Pride are right in front at the top of the ladder,” Aiton said.
(PHOTO FILE: Provided by SP PNG Hunters)