Eagles Seek Revenge
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
The Johnna Ambane Oval in Minj will be buzzing again this weekend as local fans brace for a blockbuster double header. The action kicks off at 1pm when a third-placed, fast-improving Wamp Nga Mt. Hagen Eagles host traditional arch-rivals East New Britain Agmark Gurias. The Eagles will be eager for avenge their narrow loss to the Gurias in Rabaul, in Round 3.
In the main event at 3pm, new competition leaders and 2025 grand final runners-up PRK Mendi Muruks will lock horns with 11th-placed Asila Waghi Tumbe.
The Gurias-Eagles clash is a must-watch battle between competition heavyweights as both sides continue their push to solidify a place in the top six with four rounds remaining. Sleeping giants the Hagen Eagles, under rookie coach Henry Wan Noki, have overcome a slow start to the 2026 season and have now proven critics wrong with eight wins from 13 games.
In an exclusive phone interview with TVWAN News ahead of tomorrow’s much-anticipated Round 14 clash against their brothers from East New Britain, Noki gave a brief insight into the Eagles’ journey this season and the changes the team has embraced in setting new standards and stronger discipline on and off the field - changes he says are paying off.
“I think the main ones are attitude towards training and the level of discipline on and off the field. I always tell my boys that the game itself is only 80 minutes - what you do off the field will determine how well you perform on the field,” he said.
“The club is mainly big on discipline regardless of seniority. A couple of times we have stood down senior players for ill-discipline, and that’s the standard we are setting for our younger players in our playing group.”
Following their Round 3 loss to the Gurias in Rabaul, Coach Noki is looking forward to returning the favour against his former PNG Hunters and Kumuls teammate Wartovo Puara Jnr.
The Gurias, on the other hand, expect a hostile reception but will need to remain focused on their own game. Noki admitted the Eagles have a long history and connection with the Gurias, with many Hagen players having represented the Rabaul side over the years.
“For that reason, we always have a lot of respect for the Rabaul boys. We have so much respect for the Gurias for what they have achieved over the years. In the first round it was a really good game - a physical, bruising encounter, but unfortunately, we couldn’t get the win over there.”
On momentum and form, the Eagles should be too strong for the Gurias, who were fortunate to escape with a draw against Kandes at home last week. The match will set the tone for the main fixture, where Waghi Tumbe will host competition leaders Mendi Muruks at 3pm. Tumbe will be looking to upset the leaders.
In the other Saturday match, second-placed MPG Kandes will host premiers Lae Snax Tigers at Ron Albert Oval in Madang at 2pm.
Sunday’s action at Santos National Football Stadium will begin with an interesting derby as MoniPlus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers face the unpredictable Gas Resources Central Dabaris at 1pm. It is a crucial match for Wellington Albert’s men, who appear to be low on confidence after going down to a much-improved Mioks side last week. Dabaris, under new coach Moses Matuka, could potentially spoil the Vipers’ party.
In the main clash at 3pm, underperforming PRK Gulf Isou could ambush the Apo boys, Bintangor Goroka Lahanis, with an upset win. Both fixtures will be televised live on TVWAN Sports. At Aipus Oval in Wabag, the revamped NPL Enga Mioks, sitting in eighth place, should continue their winning ways against sixth-placed Kroton Hela Wigmen.
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