By GABRIEL KATUHO
SP PNG Hunters centre and second-rower Benji Kot has made his return to the field for the 2026 Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Hostplus Cup season, after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained last year.
Kot, known as one of the Hunters’ hard-running second-rowers and a reliable back-up centre, played his first game back in round one against the Rockhampton Capras last Sunday. Despite a strong effort, the Hunters went down narrowly 16–24 in their season opener.
Reflecting on his recovery, Kot said the journey back was challenging. “It’s been a tough season for me being out last year doing rehab, but it feels really good to be back with the boys,” he said. “Watching from the sidelines was difficult and at times I felt like giving up, but looking back at how far I’ve come gave me motivation to set my goals and return stronger this year.”
Kot acknowledged the tough contest against the Capras, which featured several PNG players, but said the team is focused on fixing errors ahead of this weekend’s match. “We had a good pre-season and the boys are working hard on skills. I think we’re ready for the game this weekend,” he added.
As one of the senior players in the squad, Kot is determined to set the standard for younger teammates. “I’ve been with the club for a while, so I’ll be showing a good example and leading the boys on and off the field,” he said.