Consistency remains a major concern for the Papua New Guinea Hunters as the prospect of finals football slips further away.
The reigning Intrust Super Cup champions were beaten at home by Redcliffe last weekend and haven't managed back to back wins since the end of May.
Head coach Michael Marum said they've struggled all season to put together a run of good results.
"We're doing all we can with the players - everyone this week tried to put everyone together and get their heads back into the game but they're just not good enough," said Marum.
The performances week in week out have been just inconsistent all the time from day one so we had a good break and the boys that had been away at the Pacific Test came back with a bit more fight in them to finish off the season really well but that's not the case.
"We deserve to keep fighting until the end of the competition."
PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Melvin Levongo
Marum has named an unchanged squad for Sunday's home clash against the fourth-placed Northern Pride and admits he didn't have much choice.
"We don't really have much options from the players, that's why we start with the same team as last weekend. The boys that have missed out the week before they're not hungry enough to fight for their spots inside the team and training-wise they're not showing they're hungry to come in and play so we start with the same line-up," he said.
"Then again they deserve some more loyalty and faith in those players that they can probably come back better this weekend."
Hunters prop Dilbert Issac is part of unchanged match-day squad. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Melvin Levongo
Despite their patchy form the Hunters are still just two points outside the top six playoff spots, with seven rounds remaining.
Four of those games are on home soil, including the next three.
"We're playing teams in the top six - there is Pride this weekend, Norths (Devils) next weekend and Burleigh after so we just have to focus on one game and make sure we get the result we want," said Marum.
"Our for and against its on the minus - we give away soft tries like last weekend...that's been one of our big problems all throughout the season."
