By Jorja Brinums (QRL lead content producer)
Players brought their A games for the second last regular round for the Hostplus Cup season. There were high-scoring games, hat-tricks aplenty and some epic tackle counts.
Redcliffe Dolphins second rower Jeremiah Simbiken was excellent, earning himself the Hostplus strong performer gong and skipper honours for the Round 19 Team of the Week. Souths Logan Magpies hooker Christian Hazard was excellent in the feature game of the round to earn himself the Hastings Deering player of the match honours.
Each round, Queensland Rugby League recognises the 17 best performers and name the Hostplus Cup Team of the Week, presented by Hostplus. These team selections are based not only on statistical data, but also take on board live and broadcast viewings of the games.
Round 19 Team of the Week
1. Trai Fuller – Redcliffe Dolphins
The always dangerous Dolphins fullback was instrumental in his side’s huge 49-10 win over Northern Pride in Round 19. Fuller scored a hat-trick of tries, registered 144 run metres, one line break assist, three tackle breaks and 15 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency. Other standout fullbacks across the competition were Tweed’s Lindon McGrady with a huge five try assists, South Logan’s Tristan Sailor with 12 points and Sunshine Coast’s Blake Wilson with two tries and 15 tackle breaks.
2. Jayden Corrigan – Norths Devils
Season 2022 has been a breakout one for the Devils flyer, consistently performing at a high standard. Corrigan scored a hat-trick of tries, registered 127 run metres, three line breaks, four tackle breaks and four tackles with 100 per cent efficiency. Central Queensland Capras flyer Brandon Roberts also deserves a mention, with two tries.
3. Treymain Spry – Tweed Seagulls
Tweed were on fire at Piggabeen Sports Complex in Round 19, keeping the Townsville Blackhawks scoreless. Spry was excellent with two tries, 86 run metres, two line breaks, five tackle breaks and 136 kick metres.
4. Joshua Patston – Tweed Seagulls
Patston was superb for Tweed against the Blackhawks. The talented centre scored two tries, registered 175 run metres, two line breaks, four tackle breaks and seven tackles with 100 per cent efficiency.
5.Will Warbrick – Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Melbourne Storm-contracted weapon was on fire against Mackay Cutters. Warbrick scored two tries, registered a massive 327 run metres, including 90 post-contact, made two line breaks, three tackle breaks and seven tackles with 100 per cent efficiency. Burleigh Bears winger Tony Francis was also good with two tries, 145 run metres, two line breaks and two tackle breaks.
6. Bryce Donovan – Redcliffe Dolphins
Donovan’s kicking game was exemplary in Round 19. The talented Dolphins five-eighth kicked eight from eight conversions and one field goal to bring up a points tally of 17. He also registered 81 run metres, one try assist, two tackle breaks and 15 tackles with 100 per cent efficiency.
7. Jack Madden – Central Queensland Capras
The Capras skipper put in a strong showing in a losing team and gets a run in Round 19 Team of the Week for his massive five try assists, as well as three line break assists and 194 kick metres.
8. Francis Kembis – PNG Hunters
The Hunters were a force to be reckoned with in the second last regular round of the year. Kembis was very good in attack and defence with one try, 110 run metres, one line break, eight tackle breaks and 32 tackles. Blackhawks prop Riley Price was also good with 34 tackles with 97.14 per cent efficiency.
9. Tyson Smoothy – Sunshine Coast Falcons
Smoothy has been one of the most consistent and best performers across the competition this year. The talented hooker scored one try, kicked five from six conversions, one penalty goal, registered 91 run metres, one line break, two tackle breaks, a huge 49 tackles and 194 kick metres. Tigers talent Jonah Pezat was also excellent during his 47 minutes on the field; he kicked four from four conversions, registered one line break, two line break assists, two try assists, two tackle breaks and 16 tackles.
10. Jordan Grant – Brisbane Tigers
The Tigers prop, who is contracted to Melbourne Storm, was phenomenal in defence against the Capras. Grant, during his 61 minutes on the field, registered 35 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency and 130 run metres, including 53 post-contact. Souths Logan’s Justin Fai was also excellent during his 54 minutes on the field with one try, 176 run metres, one line break, five tackle breaks and 18 tackles.
11. Kelly Tate – Souths Logan Magpies
The Souths Logan second rower was in fine form against Wynnum Manly in Round 19. Tate scored two tries, registered 80 run metres, one line break, one tackle break and 34 tackles. Central Queensland’s Ethan O’Neill was also solid with two tries, 83 run metres, two line breaks and five tackle breaks.
12. Jeremiah Simbiken – Redcliffe Dolphins (C)
Simbiken has been on fire of late and shows no signs of slowing down. The Dolphins second rower, during his 69 minutes on the field, scored a hat-trick, registered 99 run metres, one line break, one line break assist, six tackle breaks and 28 tackles with 93.33 per cent efficiency. Simbiken’s efforts this week earn his the Hostplus strong performer gong for Round 19 and skipper honours for the Round 19 Team of the Week. Norths second rower Leivaha Pulu was also good with two tries, 97 run metres, two line breaks, five tackle breaks and 15 tackles.
13. Keven Appo – PNG Hunters
The Hunters lock was excellent in his side’s big win against ladder leaders Burleigh. Appo, during his 68 minutes on the field, registered 169 run metres, including 58 post-contact, one line break, one try assist, four tackle breaks and 17 tackles. Sunshine Coast’s Patrice Siolo also performed well with 141 run metres, one line break, one try assist, one tackle break and 38 tackles with 95 per cent efficiency.
14. Kalolo Saitaua – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Saitaua is an absolute weapon and was a standout for Wynnum Manly in Round 19. Saitaua scored one try, registered 175 run metres, two line breaks, a massive 15 tackle breaks and 21 tackles with 95.45 per cent tackle efficiency.
15. Christian Hazard – Souths Logan Magpies
Hazard was very good during his side’s tight win over Wynnum Manly, earning himself the Hastings Deering player of the match gong for the feature game. Hazard, during his 55 minutes on the field, registered 117 run metres, one line break, one line break assist, two try assists, seven tackle breaks and 29 tackles.
16. Liam Horne – Norths Devils
The Devils danger man, during his 64 minutes on the field, scored two tries, registered 103 run metres, three line breaks, eight tackle breaks and 24 tackles.
17. Zak Taibi – Brisbane Tigers
The Tigers winger was excellent against Central Queensland. Taibi scored a hat-trick of tries, registered 125 run metres, including 42 post-contact, two line breaks and six tackle breaks.
Main Image: Hostplus Cup R19 Capras v Tigers – Zak Taibi with the ball. Photo: Luke Fletcher
