Round 19 saw the Intrust Super Cup head out to Country Week venues including the likes of Goondiwindi, Maryborough, Bowen, Normanton, Cooktown, Hughenden and for the first time, regional fans in PNG took part in the round, with a game held at Lae.
The Round 19 ‘Team of the Week’ has seen players from eight teams feature, after several sides registered big wins against their opposition.
>> Each round, QRL Media recognise the 17 best performers and name the Intrust Super Cup ‘Team of the Week’*. These team selections will be based not only on statistical data, but will also take on board live and broadcast viewings of the games, with the standout performer of the week to be named captain.
1. Edene Gebbie (PNG Hunters)
A huge game from the PNG Hunters fullback who scored a double, including a length-of-the-field try in front of a packed house in Lae. Gebbie terrorised the Norths with his powerful running game, registering 263 running metres and three tackle breaks.
2. Matt Soper-Lawler (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
A standout performance in what was a convincing win for the Falcons in Bowen. The Falcons flyer scored two tries, ran for 161m, busted five tackles, and set up a try for his fullback off the back of a strong kick return.
3. Sami Sauiluma (Burleigh Bears)
After a two-week layoff with injury, the 108kg centre returned to the playing field in Maryborough and was back to his damaging best, scoring two tries, busting five tackles and running for 112m in a dominant performance.
4. Justin Olam (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
Falcons centre showed why he’s considered one of the most damaging ball runners in the competition in Round 19, as he troubled his opposition defence with his speed, size and footwork. Olam scored a try, ran for 189m, busted five tackles and made five offloads, and now averages 153 running metres and 5.6 tackle breaks per game.
5. Jonathon Reuben (Townsville Blackhawks)
Outstanding for the Blackhawks in their 62-18 victory over Tweed Heads in Hughenden. Scoring two tries, running for 140m, with an additional three line breaks he also added two try assists and two tackle busts to his name.
6. Ase Boas (PNG Hunters)
Hunters half Ase Boas played a key role in securing victory for the Hunters over Norths Devils in Lae, setting up two tries and kicking a perfect six from six goals.
7. Jaelen Feeney (Townsville Blackhawks) – (c)
Feeney put on a clinic in Hughenden for Country Week, with two try assists, five tackle breaks, and two tries, along with three-line break assists and 165 kick metres.
8. Francis Molo (Townsville Blackhawks)
Cowboys forward Francis Molo lead the Blackhawks pack in Round 19 with several strong carries, registering 172 running metres from 14 carries, including 75 post contact metres and four tackle breaks, in 48 minutes.
9. Pat Politoni (Burleigh Bears)
Burleigh rake Politoni controlled the game nicely from dummy half, with his crafty kicking game, with 200 kick metres. Further to his efforts, Politoni set up a try and made 27 tackles, leading Burleigh to a convincing victory over the Capras in Maryborough.
10. Nick Brown (Mackay Cutters)
A shining light for Mackay as they went down to a red hot Sunshine Coast side in Bowen. Brown had several strong carries against an experienced Falcons pack, with 171 running metres and 75 post contact metres, whilst also managed to get over for a try in the 69th minute.
11. Scott Schulte (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Arguably his best game of the season, as he scored two valuable tries to secure a 16-14 victory over the Easts Tigers in Goondiwindi. Schulte managed 129 running metres, seven tackle breaks, 32 tackles and three line breaks in a dominant display.
12. Til Vea (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
A great performance from the 31-year-old forward; troubling the Magpies defence with his strong running game, with 154 running metres, four tackle breaks and 60 post contact metres.
13. Jamil Hopoate (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Yet another dominant performance from the Hopoate in Round 19. The Dolphins lock forward was a standout, recording 228 running metres, seven tackle breaks, 74 post contact metres and 33 tackles in a Hastings Deering Man of the Match performance.
14. Kalifa Faifai Loa (Townsville Blackhawks)
Blackhawks winger showed his experience in Round 19, as he ran riot against a young Seagulls side in Hughenden, with two tries, 110 running metres, five tackle breaks and a try assist to his name.
15. Jonico Hardwick (Northern Pride)
A clear standout for Northern Pride in just his second Intrust Super Cup game, showing off his speed and footwork with two tries in nine minutes, as well as 115 run metres, three line breaks and five tackle breaks.
16. Lachlan Lee (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
He may have only played 38 minutes off the bench for Wynnum Manly, but he made his presence known, registering 148 running metres, 51 post contact metres and four tackle breaks, to play a key role in the Seagulls 22-10 victory over Souths Logan in Normanton.
17. James Taylor (Redcliffe Dolphins)
With just 41 minutes on field, Taylor was the definition of an impact player for the Dolphins, recording two tackle breaks, 50 post contact metres, 21 tackles and 170 running metres, in what was a dominant performance from 104kg front-rower.
*The team selections are the opinions of QRL Media only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the QRL.
Main Photo: Jaelen Feeney in Hughenden. Photo: Andrea Creagh
