By Colleen Edwards (QRL content producer)
Sunshine Coast Falcons young gun Tyson Smoothy was ahead of the pack in the voting for the 2022 Petero Civoniceva Medal best and fairest race at the conclusion of the last full round of Hostplus Cup to be played so far.
Smoothy received one point in his side’s close 22-14 win against Brisbane Tigers in their Round 8 match – the last full round of Hostplus Cup to be played so far – to top the count with 12 points.
Souths Logan Magpies and Tweed Seagulls are yet to play their Round 9 game, while Week 2 of Round 10 kicks off this weekend.
Hot on the heels of Smoothy at the conclusion of Round 8 was Tigers halfback Jayden Nikorima with 10 points, with the Melbourne Storm-contracted talent receiving the maximum three points in Round 3, Round 4 and Round 5.
The strong opening-season form of the Burleigh Bears and Central Queensland Capras has also been rewarded, with both clubs seeing two players at the top of the tally.
The standings following Round 8 of the competition are below, with the top nine players listed.
The voting will go behind closed doors at the conclusion of Round 12.
Petero Civoniceva Medal standings after Round 8
| Player | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Tyson Smoothy | Sunshine Coast Falcons | 12 |
| Jayden Nikorima | Brisbane Tigers | 10 |
| Jamie Hill | Central Queensland Capras | 9 |
| Jack Ahearn | Norths Devils | 8 |
| Tristan Powell | Burleigh Bears | 8 |
| Ross Bella | Mackay Cutters | 7 |
| Trey Browne | Central Queensland Capras | 7 |
| Jayden Hodges | Northern Pride | 7 |
| Taine Tuaupiki | Burleigh Bears | 7 |
The winner will be unveiled at this year’s end-of-season QRL Civoniceva Awards event which will also reveal the Hostplus Cup team of the year winners as well as other major playing awards.
*Points tally collated by QRL scores coordinator Ken Cooper
