By Jorja Brinums (QRL lead content producer)
Round 9 – Respect Round – saw many stellar performances across all games, making this Team of the Week a tough one to put together.
Several fullbacks, wingers and second rowers put in excellent performances for their teams. Brisbane Tigers weapon Jordan Grant was a standout for his side during the feature games against Norths Devils, earning himself the title of Hastings Deering player of the match.
Redcliffe Dolphins speedster Trai Fuller was unstoppable during his side’s Respect Round clash against PNG Hunters, earning himself the Hostplus strong performer nod and captain honours for the Round 9 Team of the Week.
The clash between Souths Logan Magpies and Tweed Seagulls did not go ahead due to flooding at Marsden State High School, but this game will be played on June 25. As a result, there are no players from either team in the Round 9 Team of the Week.
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 9 Team of the Week
1. Trai Fuller – Redcliffe Dolphins (C)
The dangerous Dolphins fullback was simply electric during his side’s 30-16 win over PNG Hunters. Fuller scored one try, assisted in one try, registered 249 run metres, including 61 post-contact, made three line breaks and a massive 12 tackle breaks, and had one line break assist. His stellar performance earned him the title of Hostplus strong performer for the week and skipper honours for the Round 9 Team of the Week. Townsville Blackhawks fullback Jaelen Feeney was also on fire with a hat-trick, as was Mat Lyons who slotted into fullback for Wynnum Manly and registered 216 run metres, including 78 post-contact, made one line break, eight tackle breaks and three tackles with 99.99 per cent tackle efficiency.
2. Robert Derby – Northern Pride
The Pride winger was excellent during his side’s Respect Round clash with Sunshine Coast Falcons. Derby scored two tries, registered 178 run metres, including 49 post-contact, made two line breaks and five tackle breaks. Norths Devils winger Brayden McGrady was also good with two tries, two line breaks and four tackle breaks. Blackhawks winger Jordan Lipp was also impressive with two tries, 56 run metres, two line breaks and two tackle breaks.
3. Delouise Hoeter – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The Brisbane Broncos-contract dynamo was named at fullback, but played most of the game against Mackay Cutters at centre. Hoeter scored one try, registered 154 run metres, including 72 post-contact, made four tackle breaks and 10 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
4. Taniela Sadrugu – Townsville Blackhawks
The Blackhawks centre was vital to their big Round 9 win against Ipswich Jets. Sadrugu assisted in two tries, registered 170 run metres, including 86 post-contact, had two line break assists, and made five tackle breaks.
5. Setu Tu – Redcliffe Dolphins
The Dolphins talent was superb against the Hunters during Respect Round. Tu registered 212 run metres, made one line break, a massive 14 tackle breaks and five tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency. Fellow Dolphins winger Edward Kosi was also on fire with two tries, 111 run metres, two line breaks and two tackle breaks. Sunshine Coast Falcons winger Blake Wilson was also good with two tries, 171 run metres, one line break and five tackle breaks.
6. Josh Rogers – Burleigh Bears
Rogers has been a consistent performer for the Bears and he was phenomenal again in Round 9. Rogers scored one try, assisted in one try, kicked four from five conversions, registered 99 run metres, made one line break, one line break assist and two tackle breaks.
7. Lachlan Cooper – Ipswich Jets
Cooper was a standout in a losing side. The Jets half scored one try, kicked one from two conversions, registered 118 run metres, made one line break, one line break assist, five tackle breaks and 16 tackles with 94.08 per cent tackle efficiency. Bears half Guy Hamilton was also good with two try assists.
8. Jordan Grant – Brisbane Tigers
The Melbourne Storm-contracted prop put in a stellar performance against 2021 premiers Norths Devils in Round 9 to earn himself the Hastings Deering player of the match gong for the feature game. Grant, during his 63 minutes on the field, registered 146 run metres, including 70 post-contact, made one tackle break and 26 tackles with 92.82 per cent tackle efficiency. Gold Coast Titans-contracted prop Jaimin Jolliffe, on debut for the Bears, was also good with 150 run metres, one tackle break and 33 tackles. Pride’s Nick Lui-Toso was also good with 221 run metres and six tackle breaks.
9. Tyson Smoothy – Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Falcons hooker was solid against Northern Pride in Round 9. Smoothy had one try assist, kicked three from four conversions, made one line break assist and made 40 tackles with 93.2 per cent tackle efficiency. Mackay Cutters hooker Jake Granville was also good with one try assist, 103 run metres, had one line break assist, one tackle break and 30 tackles.
10. Lachlan Timm – Redcliffe Dolphins
The Dolphins prop was simply superb in attack and defence in Round 9. Timm registered 197 run metres, including 72 post-contact, made nine tackle breaks and 35 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
11. Ewan Moore – Northern Pride
The Pride second rower was a big part of his side’s 22-22 draw with the Falcons. Moore scored two tries, registered 132 run metres, one one line break, two tackle breaks and 20 tackles with 95.2 per cent tackle efficiency. Central Queensland Capras’ Lachlan Hubner was good with 82 run metres, one tackle break and a huge 40 tackles.
12. Justin Frain – Townsville Blackhawks
Townsville Blackhawks second rower Justin Frain was excellent with one try, one try assist, 120 run metres, one line break, three tackle breaks and 26 tackles. Wynnum Manly’s Zac Hosking and Ipswich Jets’ Tyler Coburn also had solid outings.
13. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown – Northern Pride
The Pride lock, during his 63 minutes on the field, was solid with 241 run metres, including 105 post-contact, one line break, four tackle breaks and 19 tackles with 90.44 per cent tackle efficiency.
14. Kalolo Saitaua – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
No stranger to Team of the Week, Saitaua was once again on fire for Wynnum Manly. Saitaua, during only 26 minutes on the field, scored two tries, registered 108 run metres, made two line breaks, a massive 13 tackle breaks and eight tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
15. Taine Tuaupiki – Burleigh Bears
The Bears fullback was excellent against Central Queensland Capras. Tuaupiki scored two tries, registered 157 run metres, including 43 post-contact, made one line break and three tackle breaks.
16. Will Samuel – Brisbane Tigers
The Tigers forward was solid during his 42 minutes on the field. Samuel scored one try, registered 112 run metres, including 42 post-contact, made one line break, three tackle breaks and 12 tackles with 92.28 per cent tackle efficiency.
17. Dilbert Isaac – PNG Hunters
The Hunters prop was outstanding in a losing side in Round 9. Isaac, during his 50 minutes on the field, scored one try, registered 151 run metres, including 54 post-contact, made two line breaks, had one line break assist, made seven tackle breaks and 10 tackles.
