TRY TIME: Falcons halfback Ryley Jacks goes over for the first try for the Falcons with PNG’s Gahuna Silas on his heels.

TRY TIME: Falcons halfback Ryley Jacks goes over for the first try for the Falcons with PNG’s Gahuna Silas on his heels. Patrick Woods

RUGBY LEAGUE: If the Sunshine Coast Falcons' mission for 2016 was to make the rugby league community proud, they're on the right path to achieving it and possibly more.

Yesterday's gutsy 28-20 win over hulking PNG Hunters was one to savour for thousands of fans who packed Sunshine Coast Stadium at Bokarina.

Although it wasn't spoken about before the game, stand-in coach Ben King said a number of boys in the team played for regular coach Craig Ingebrigtsen, who was mourning the loss of his mother.

A minute's silence was held prior to kick-off.

"I know the boys put in a big performance for him today, you could tell they played for him," King said.

Earlier in the week King tipped his side would need a better start if they wanted the win.

Trailing 6-8 at the break, it was the second half when the Falcons really went to work.

Four minutes into the second half, halfback Ryley Jacks took to the skies to combine with backrower Pat Hollis who put the Falcons in front and they never looked back.

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Poor execution in the first half was put to one side, as the Falcons scored 22 unanswered points before a brief PNG comeback.

A slick backline move put winger Rowan Klein across in the corner, before Ryley Jacks cleaned up a beautiful kick from hooker Nafe Seluini to put the game beyond doubt.

Seluini would later cross for a four-pointer of his own.

King pointed out big performances from a number of players including centre Matt Grieve and Erevonu Kamikamica.

But it was Jacks who opened the game up, bagging two tries and having his hand in two more.

"Ryley controlled the game," King said

Sore bodies following the physical match will be the next hurdle to overcome as the Falcons prepare to host Redcliffe in the James Ackerman memorial match on Saturday night.

"Everyone's pulled up all right injury-wise, it's just a matter of managing the guys because it's a real important game ... they'll want to put in a big performance for James, his family and the community."

FALCONS 28 (Tries: 2 Jacks, Hollis, Klein, Seluini. Goals: 2 Stimson, 2 Hansen) def HUNTERS 20 (Tries: W Boas, Olam, Lepan. Goals: 3 Zeming. Penalty goals: Zeming).