The 2019 XXXX Queensland Residents side will be named on Sunday, May 5, during the Intrust Super Cup broadcast game between Souths Logan Magpies and Sunshine Coast Falcons.
Queensland Rugby League content producer and Team of the Week author Nathan Jones gives his predictions for the 2019 XXXX Queensland Residents side.
1. Nicho Hynes - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The young Sunshine Coast Falcons playmaker is one of the form players in the competition and is a big reason as to why the Falcons remain undefeated. Hynes is typically a half, but has enjoyed success at fullback for the Falcons this year. After seven rounds of the competition, Hynes sat equal third on the Petero Civoniceva Medal tally. The 22-year-old has had 10 try assists for the Falcons in 2019, six of which came when he was at fullback.
2. Tom Hughes - Easts Tigers
The former Newcastle Knights outside back has been a standout for Easts Tigers in the opening rounds of the competition. Hughes has scored five tries and consistently maintains a high work rate, averaging 120 running metres, two tackle breaks and 46 post contact metres per game.
3. Gehamat Shibasaki - Norths Devils
The Brisbane Broncos young gun was named in the 2018 XXXX Queensland Residents side and will likely be named again on Sunday, after an impressive start to the season for Norths Devils. Shibasaki has made four appearances for the Devils in 2019 and has scored two tries, busted 21 tackles and averaged a huge 176 running metres per game.
4. Jesse Arthars - Burleigh Bears
Gold Coast Titans-contracted centre Jesse Arthars has been a revelation in 2019 for the Burleigh Bears and would arguably be the form centre in the competition after eight rounds. Arthars currently leads the competition for tries scored with seven tries, including doubles against Ipswich Jets and Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
5. Treymain Spry - Tweed Seagulls
The Tweed Seagulls teen sensation has been unstoppable in the early rounds of the competition. At just 19, the Gold Coast Titans-contracted outside back has been outstanding for the Seagulls. Spry has played all seven games of his short Intrust Super Cup career at centre; however, his form warrants selection and would not look out of place on the wing for the XXXX Queensland Residents.
6. Sam Scarlett - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Sam Scarlett has been one of the form players in the opening rounds and currently leads the competition for try assists (11) and kick metres (2184); and the 24-year-old was mentioned by coach Jon Buchanan as a potential XXXX Queensland Residents halves candidate after Round 7. The Wynnum Manly half followed up the mention with a Hastings Deering Man of the Match performance in Round 8, and will no doubt be one of the key contenders for a halves position come team announcement.
7. Todd Murphy - Sunshine Coast Falcons (c)
The veteran halfback has been in career best form in the opening rounds and currently leads the competition for points scored (94); he sits 30 points ahead of second placed Jamal Fogarty. Murphy has been instrumental for the Falcons, having scored four tries, six try assists and is also a handy goal kicker. After seven rounds, the Falcons half sat equal first alongside fellow Falcon Harry Grant in the Petero Civoniceva Medal tally.
8. Albert Vete - Easts Tigers
Easts Tigers and Melbourne Storm-contracted forward Albert Vete is another Tigers player who has come of age in 2019. Vete has been one of Tigers' best after the opening eight rounds, and would not look out of place in a XXXX Queensland Residents jersey.
9. Harry Grant - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Sunshine Coast Falcons No.9 leads the Petero Civoniceva Medal tally and has arguably been the form player of the completion thus far. Grant has been earmarked by coach Jon Buchanan as a potential hooking candidate and will no doubt be named somewhere in the 17. The crafty rake leads the competition for line breaks and tackles, with a tackle efficiency above 90 per cent.
10. Nat Neale - Ipswich Jets (c)
The reigning Petero Civoniceva Medal winner will likely earn a recall for the XXXX Queensland Residents in 2019. The powerhouse forward has been a standout for the Ipswich Jets, currently sitting eighth on the Intrust Super Cup ladder. Neale has made eight appearances for the Jets in 2019 and has made 239 tackles, busted 20 tackles and averaged 118 running metres per game.
11. Joe Stimson - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Melbourne Storm-contracted forward has made five appearances for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in 2019 and has been outstanding. Stimson has scored four tries and has averaged 96 metres and 28 tackles per game at an efficiency of 92 per cent. However, Stimson is currently facing a dangerous contact charge, which may rule the 23-year-old out of contention. If Stimson is in fact suspended, 2018 XXXX Queensland Residents and Easts Tigers forward Pat Kaufusi will be selected; he has also been solid in the opening rounds of the competition.
12. Shane Wright - Mackay Cutters
The North Queensland Cowboys-contracted edge back rower has been Mackay Cutters' best performer and arguably the form back rower this season to date. Wright is currently tied equal second in the Petero Civoniceva Medal tally after seven rounds of the competition. The 104kg forward has made eight appearances for the club in 2019 and has scored three tries, made 179 tackes and averaged 128 running metres per game.
13. Tom Gilbert - Townsville Blackhawks
The 18-year-old Townsville Blackhawks middle forward has been in outstanding form for the Blackhawks in his debut Intrust Super Cup season. The 96kg tearaway has maintained a consistently high work rate with four tries, and an average of 30 tackles and 144 running metres per game.
14. Mitch Cronin - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Wynnum Manly Seagulls hooker Mitch Cronin has been in sensational form at dummy half for the Seagulls, and will likely line up again for the XXXX Queensland Residents this year. Cronin has a great utility value and will be an asset coming off the bench if he is selected.
15. Peter Hola - Northern Pride
The 110kg powerhouse forward has probably flown under the radar a little bit due to the current form of Northern Pride. Hola has been a shining light for the Pride, and like fellow North Queensland Cowboys-contracted forward Gilbert, Hola also consistently maintains a high work rate in attack and defence, averaging 131 running metres and 22 tackles per game.
16. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The hulking Sunshine Coast Falcons forward has been in fine form coming off the bench for the Falcons in 2019, and will no doubt be in contention for a bench spot for the XXXX Queensland Residents side. Fa'asuamaleaui has maintained a high work rate of 116 running metres and 18 tackles per game, despite only playing an average of 40 minutes off the bench, in his four appearances.
17. Jordan Grant - Redcliffe Dolphins
It hasn’t been the best of seasons for the reigning premiers Redcliffe Dolphins, however Jordan Grant has consistently been one of their best performers. Grant spent the pre-season on a train and trial contract with the Brisbane Broncos and his game has gone from strength to strength. The 109kg front row forward has a huge motor, averaging 137 running metres, 13 hit-ups and 23 tackles per game and would not look out of place in a XXXX Queensland Residents jersey.
Notable mentions:
Kierran Moseley - Ipswich Jets
Billy Walters - Easts Tigers
Linc Port - Souths Logan Magpies
Luke Page - Burleigh Bears
Ethan Bullemor - Norths Devils
Edene Gebbie - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Pat Kaufusi - Easts Tigers
Troy Leo - Burleigh Bears
Sandor Earl - Sunshine Coast Falcons
Nixon Putt - Norths Devils
