RECENTLY PROMOTED KAI ON LOOKOUT

BY BENJAMIN KOITAKA

RECENTLY promoted Manisa Kai is keen on being a consistent middle-forward and wearing the heart on his sleeve to help the team winning games, week in and week out.

After a late change to the team last week, PNG Hunters head coach Paul Aiton has shifted former Waghi Tumbe and Enga Mioks firebrand forward Kai to the starting prop, while omitting Himson Ulalom and brought Jacob Lot onto the interchange bench.

Kai, after featuring in several Hunters games, coming off the bench has now found a new home in the starting line-up, that will partner with the likes in Zebedy Kip, Murray Connors, Whallan Tau-Loi and skipper Ila Alu.

“We have lost four (4) games already, and that was overall lack on the defensive mechanism in our team,” Kai, who don the Hunters jumper in 22-occassions since 2024 said.

“We are working on to fix these issues and hopefully we get that right.

“My duty, and the middle forwards duty is to play the best footy, run hard and play our best footy.

“It’s individuals’ responsibility to prepare themselves each game and help the team get the wins.”

Kai further added that despite South Pacific Brewery-backed side Hunters lost the opening matches, there are rooms for improvement and things will surely turn-around for the team.
“Trust the process and stick to the process.

“In some games, we are preforming well but we gave up later on as we maybe not trusting the process,” Kai added.

Meanwhile, Aiton also lauded winger Elijah Roltinga and forward Koso Bandi for their timely return, after undergoing ACL injury rehabilitations throughout last season.

Hunters will face Burleigh Bears this Saturday at the UAA Park, Gold Coast.