Papua New Guinea Hunters coach Michael Marum says tomorrow's Queensland Cup debut is just the beginning of a long journey and it will take time for the team to fully hit their straps.
The Hunters are PNG's first professional sporting franchise and have been training for close to three months ahead of their first competition game away to the Redcliffe Dolphins.
Michael Marum says there is a huge level of interest in the team back home but cautions fans not to jump to conclusions from one game.
"There will be a lot of public demand - [it's the] national sport back home - a lot of expectations on our players to perform but I just want to see our players go out there and play their best football, work hard during the game and enjoy the game at this stage. We've got a lot of work yet to be done."
The Hunters' first home game is next weekend in Kokopo.
