By Jorja Brinums (QRL lead content producer)
The pointy end of the Hostplus Cup season is here and players right across the competition are stepping up.
Sunshine Coast Falcons flyer Sualauvi Faalogo was a standout with his hat-trick of tries, earning himself the Hostplus strong performer honours and the Team of the Week skipper nod for the round.
And with the round played across two weekends, seeing two feature games livestreamed, there were two Hastings Deering player of the match winners in Brisbane Tigers hooker Haele Finau and Redcliffe Dolphins second rower Jeremiah Simbiken.
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 17 Team of the Week
1. Tristan Sailor – Souths Logan Magpies
The Magpies young gun has consistently performed for his side during season 2022 and Round 17 was no different. Sailor registered 179 run metres, including 47 post-contact, assisted in two tries, had two line break assists and seven tackle breaks. Tweed Seagulls fullback Jamayne Isaako, Brisbane Tigers fullback Tony Pellow and Wynnum Manly Seagulls’ Te Maire Martin were also impressive in Round 17.
2. Sualauvi Faalogo – Sunshine Coast Falcons (C)
The Falcons flyer was lethal in attack against PNG Hunters; he was exactly where he needed to be when he needed to be there, scoring a hat-trick of tries. Faalogo also registered 208 run metres, including 20 post-contact, four line breaks and six tackle breaks, earning himself the Hostplus strong performer honours for Round 17. Mackay Cutters winger Laitia Moceidreke was also excellent with two tries, 125 run metres, three line breaks and three tackle breaks.
3. Rocco Berry – Redcliffe Dolphins
The Dolphins centre was in fine form in attack and defence against Wynnum Manly at the weekend. Berry scored one try, registered two try assists, 137 run metres, two line breaks, three line break assists, two tackle breaks and 23 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency. Mackay centre Blake Paskins was also good with 165 run metres, two try assists, one line break, one line break assist, five tackle breaks and 15 tackles.
4. Jacob Gagan – Norths Devils
The Devils centre was instrumental to his side’s win against the Magpies. Gagan scored two tries, registered 196 run metres, including 87 post-contact, one line break and seven tackle breaks.
5. Jayden Corrigan – Norths Devils
The Devils talent was on fire in Round 17, along with wingers right across the competition. Corrigan scored two tries, registered 151 run metres, including 34 post-contact, one line break, six tackle breaks and five tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency. Northern Pride’s Robert Derby had a massive 237 run metres, including 83 post-contact, and 10 tackle breaks; and Townsville Blackhawks weapon Kalifa Faifai-Loa gets a mention for his one try, 203 run metres, including 77 post-contact, one line break and two tackle breaks.
6. Gerome Burns – Ipswich Jets
The Jets five-eighth was a standout in a losing side with 127 run metres, including 42 post-contact, two line break assists, two try assists, four tackle breaks and 19 tackles.
7. Guy Hamilton – Burleigh Bears
Bears half Guy Hamilton was excellent in Round 17 against rivals Tweed Seagulls with one try, one try assist, 95 run metres, 205 kick metres, one line break, one line break assist, one tackle break and 21 tackles. Tweed half Lindon McGrady was also good with one try, one line break, one tackle break, 22 tackles and 383 kick metres. Devils skipper Jack Ahearn was also strong with 115 run metres, three try assists, two line breaks, two line break assists, two tackle breaks and 11 tackles.
8. Jayden Morgan – Mackay Cutters
The Cutters prop was excellent during his side’s win over the in-form Central Queensland Capras. During his 46 minutes on the field, Morgan scored one try, registered 160 run metres, including 68 post-contact, made one line break, two tackle breaks and 24 tackles with 96 per cent tackle efficiency.
9. Tyson Smoothy – Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Falcons hooker is one of the most consistent performers across the competition. Smoothy, during his side’s big win over PNG Hunters, scored one try, assisted in two tries, kicked six from eight conversions, had one line break assist, one tackle break and made a huge 46 tackles with 93.88 per cent tackle efficiency. Jets hooker Rhys Jacks also gets a mention for making a huge 43 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
10. Jordan Grant – Brisbane Tigers
Tigers talent Grant, who is signed with Melbourne Storm, was solid for his side during his 64 minutes on the field; Grant registered 192 run metres, including 62 post-contact, made four tackle breaks and 35 tackles with 94.59 per cent tackle efficiency. Blackhawks talent Riley Price was also good with 148 run metres, two tackle breaks and 36 tackles.
11. Jeremiah Simbiken – Redcliffe Dolphins
The Dolphins second rower was excellent in Round 17, earning himself the Hastings Deering player of the match honours for the feature game. Simbiken scored two tries, registered 173 run metres, two line breaks, one tackle break and 35 tackles.
12. Zac Hosking – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The Wynnum Manly second rower was superb in attack and defence for his side. Hosking registered 159 run metres, including 51 post-contact, had one try assist, two tackle breaks and made 39 tackles with 92.86 per cent tackle efficiency. Central Queensland’s Nixon Putt was also good with 203 run metres, including 99 post-contact, one try assist, one line break assist, five tackle breaks and 14 tackles.
13. Rory Ferguson – Souths Logan Magpies
The Magpies lock was impressive during his 54 minutes on the field with one try, 165 run metres, including 56 post-contact, one line break and two tackle breaks. Bears lock Sam Coster was also on fire during his 57 minutes on the field with 127 run metres, including 42 post-contact, nine tackle breaks and 27 tackles with 90 per cent tackle efficiency.
14. Haele Finau – Brisbane Tigers
The Tigers hooker was excellent during the first week of Round 17, earning himself the Hastings Deering player of the match honours for the game. Finau, during his 52 minutes on the field, registered 120 run metres, two line breaks, one tackle break and 15 tackles.
15. Will Partridge – Northern Pride
The Pride winger, recently back from injury, was excellent against the Blackhawks. Partridge scored two tries, kicked three from four conversions, registered 200 run metres, one line break, three tackle breaks and 12 tackles with 92.31 per cent tackle efficiency.
16. Adam Pompey – Redcliffe Dolphins
The talented Dolphins winger was excellent in Round 17 with one try, 197 run metres, three line breaks, eight tackle breaks and five tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
17. Solomona Faataape – Brisbane Tigers
The always dangerous Tigers flyer was superb in Round 17 with two tries, 140 run metres, one line break, two tackle breaks and 10 tackles.
