By Jorja Brinums (QRL lead content producer)
Round 6 of the Hostplus Cup saw eight teams battle for points. There was plenty of talent of show with two hat-tricks, a late field goal to win a game, a bunch of players scoring doubles and oodles of passion.
Sunshine Coast Falcons fullback Luke Polselli had a blinder with a hat-trick and three try assists to earn himself Hastings Deering player of the match honours for the feature game and the title of Hostplus strong performer. Polselli is also the Round 6 Team of the Week captain.
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 6 Team of the Week
1. Luke Polselli – Sunshine Coast Falcons (C)
The Falcons fullback was the absolute stand-out player of Round 6 after playing a huge part in his side’s 48-18 win over Ipswich Jets. Polselli scored three tries, assisted in three tries, registered 111 run metres, had one line break, three line break assists and three tackle breaks. Polselli was named Hastings Deering player of the match for the feature game, is the Hostplus strong performer for the week and captain of the Round 6 Team of the Week.
2. Scott Galeano – Tweed Seagulls
The Seagulls winger had a cracking game against Wynnum Manly Seagulls. During the ‘flockbuster’, Galeano scored two tries, registered 156 run metres, including 45 post-contact, made two line breaks and two tackle breaks.
3. Mathew Lyons – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Lyons was electric during his side’s close win over Tweed. The talented centre scored two impressive tries, assisted in one try, registered 135 run metres, made one line break assist and two tackle breaks.
4. Michael Bell – Townsville Blackhawks
There was nothing Bell didn’t do during his side’s one-point win over Redcliffe Dolphins, including kicking the match-winning field goal in the 78th minute of the game. Aside from that, the gun centre scored two tries, kicked four from five conversions, registered 133 run metres, made one line break and three tackle breaks.
5. Will Warbrick – Sunshine Coast Falcons
Polselli was not the only Falcons player to have a cracking game. Warbrick, who is contracted to Melbourne Storm, was also on fire. During his 50 minutes on the field, he scored a hat-trick of tries, registered 141 run metres, made three line breaks and six tackle breaks.
6. Bryce Donovan – Redcliffe Dolphins
Donovan, who started the year at Norths Devils, put in a solid performance in Round 6. The handy half registered 94 run metres, made one line break, five tackle breaks and 25 tackles, with 92.59 per cent tackle efficiency.
7. Sam Scarlett – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The Wynnum Manly skipper, a consistent performer for his side, had a level head during his side’s tight tussle with Tweed. Scarlett scored one try, assisted in two tries, made 54 run metres, one line break, two line break assists, two tackle breaks and 13 tackles.
8. Dunamis Lui – Redcliffe Dolphins
Lui, who donned a Queensland Maroons jersey in 2020, was excellent for the Dolphins during his 47 minutes on the field. Lui scored one try, registered 158 run metres, made one line break, three tackle breaks and 17 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
9. Josh Chudleigh – Townsville Blackhawks
The Blackhawks hooker was good, as always, in attack and defence in Round 6. Chudleigh scored one try, made 132 run metres, including 59 post-contact, one line break, three tackle breaks and a whopping 42 tackles with 95.45 per cent tackle efficiency.
10. Tyler Coburn – Ipswich Jets
Coburn was excellent in a losing side in Round 6. The talented second rower scored two of his team’s four tries, made 78 run metres, two line breaks, three tackle breaks and 23 tackles.
11. Luke Webley – Mackay Cutters
Webley makes his Team of the Week debut after a strong performance against Brisbane Tigers in Round 6. Webley scored one try, registered 84 run metres, made one line break, two tackle breaks and a huge 42 tackles with 91.3 per cent tackle efficiency.
12. Dan Russell – Brisbane Tigers
Russell was a shining beacon in a losing side in Round 6, putting in a stellar performance in attack and defence. The Tigers second rower scored one try, registered 101 run metres, one line break, three tackle breaks and made 38 tackles.
13. Sean Mullany – Mackay Cutters
The Cutters lock was superb in Round 6. Mullany registered 144 run metres, assisted in one try, made one line break and 36 tackles to claim player of the match honours. Wynnum Manly’s Luke Bateman was also solid, registering 100 run metres, assisting in one try, making one line break assist and 28 tackles.
14. Jayden Campbell – Tweed Seagulls
The elusive Gold Coast Titans-contracted fullback was as dangerous as ever for Tweed in Round 6. Campbell scored one try, made a huge 219 run metres, including 47 post-contact, made two line breaks and 11 tackle breaks.
15. Jake Riley – Mackay Cutters
The Cutters winger was instrumental in his side’s win over the Tigers in Round 6. Riley scored two of the Cutters’ four tries, made 123 run metres and seven tackle breaks.
16. Lachlan Timm – Redcliffe Dolphins
Timm is a phenomenal performer for the Dolphins week-in, week-out. The prop registered 203 run metres, including 86 post-contact, made one line break assist, three tackle breaks and 36 tackles with 94.74 per cent tackle efficiency.
17. Jeremiah Simbiken – Redcliffe Dolphins
The Dolphins second rower was good in a losing side, scoring two tries, making 41 run metres, three tackle breaks and 12 tackles.
