The best and brightest of the Intrust Super Cup will be celebrated at the end of season awards night and there have been plenty of standout performers who will be in the running to take home prizes this year.
Taking into consideration statistical data, week-to-week form, Team of the Week appearances and live viewings of games, here is who I predict will be named in this year's Team of the Year in each position.
Fullback
Predicted winner: Nicho Hynes - Sunshine Coast Falcons
Traditionally a halfback, the Melbourne Storm-contracted playmaker has relished the transition to fullback for the Falcons in 2019. Hynes has added another dimension for the Sunshine Coast in attack, and currently sits third in the competition for try assists with 17 in 16 appearances. The Falcons have only lost one game in 2019, and Hynes wasn’t playing fullback in that match.
Notable mention: Edene Gebbie - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Wing
Predicted winner: Jon Reuben - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The former Townsville Blackhawks flyer has continued his freakish try-scoring ability at Falcons in 2019, and currently sits in equal first position for tries scored alongside Troy Leo (Burleigh Bears) and Matt Soper-Lawler (Souths Logan Magpies). However, Reuben has played two fewer games than Leo and three fewer games than Soper-Lawler. He averages 154 running metres per game and has scored three hat-tricks this season, including back-to-back in Round 16 and Round 17.
Notable mention: Herbie Farnworth - Norths Devils
Centre
Predicted winner: Izaia Perese - Redcliffe Dolphins
The former rugby union star has quickly made a name for himself in the Intrust Super Cup, and is a big reason why Redcliffe have won four of their past five games. Perese’s greatest asset is his running and the Dolphins centre is a constant threat to his opposition every time he has his hands on the ball. The 22-year-old currently leads the competition for tackle breaks with 102 in 13 appearances for the Dolphins.
Notable mention: BJ Aufaga-Toomaga - CQ Capras
Five-eighth
Predicted winner: Pat Templeman - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The Wynnum Manly five-eighth has been a bit of an unsung hero for the Seagulls in 2019; he has often been overshadowed by prominent playmakers Sam Scarlett and Mitch Cronin. However, Templeman has been the most consistent five-eighth in the competition to date with six tries, 10 try assists and an average of 189 kick metres per game.
Notable mention: Guy Hamilton - Souths Logan Magpies
Halfback
Predicted winner: Todd Murphy - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The 29-year-old moved to Sunshine Coast for the 2019 season in pursuit of an Intrust Super Cup premiership, and has been one of the top performers in the competition to date. Murphy currently leads the competition for points scored with 242 points, making him 86 points clear of Jamal Fogarty in second place. Furthermore, Falcons have a 100 per cent win rate when Murphy has played this season.
Notable mention: Sam Scarlett - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Prop
Predicted winner: Luke Page - Burleigh Bears
'DJ Moey Fresh' has wound back the clock in 2019 and has been in terrific form the Bears. Page doesn’t play as many minutes as other forwards in the competition, but he gets his team rolling up field every time he runs the ball. The 108kg forward has been one of the more consistent forwards to date, averaging 128 metres, 44 post-contact metres per game and 21 tackles per game at 91 per cent efficiency.
Notable mention: Jordan Grant - Redcliffe Dolphins
Hooker
Predicted winner: Harry Grant - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Falcons rake has been the standout performer in the competition this year; so much so that his team mates have started calling him Petero. When the votes for the 2019 Petero Civoniceva Medal tally went behind closed doors in Round 12, Grant was leading the race with 17 points. He leads the competition for tackles with 650, with an average of 38 tackles per game at an efficiency of 91 per cent. The Melbourne Storm-contracted hooker also sits second overall for try assists with 18 and fifth overall for tries scored with 12.
Notable mention: Mitch Cronin - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Second row
Predicted winner: Brendan Frei - Norths Devils
The former Sydney Roosters forward joined Norths at the beginning of 2019 and has been one of their most consistent players so far this season. The 80-minute edge-back rower has added another dimension to the Devils attack and has found the try line on eight occasions this season, including a hat-trick in Round 13. Frei consistently maintains a high work-rate in attack and defence, averaging 90 metres and 24 tackles per game at an efficiency rate of 89 per cent.
Notable mention: Temone Power - Townsville Blackhawks
Lock
Predicted winner: Tom Gilbert - Townsville Blackhawks
The young Blackhawks forward has taken the competition by storm in 2019, consistently maintaining a huge work rate in both attack and defence. Gilbert has been an absolute powerhouse for Townsville, averaging 140 metres, 14.8 hit ups and 29 tackles per game at an efficiency rate of 86 per cent.
Notable mention: Sam Coster - Burleigh Bears
Coach
Predicted winner: Eric Smith - Sunshine Coast Falcons
Smith is no doubt well on his way to winning Coach of the Year for 2019 after the Falcons registered the best start to a season in Intrust Super Cup history, with 14 consecutive victories. Further to his efforts, the Falcons have only lost one of their 18 games so far this season - a narrow four-point defeat to defending premiers Redcliffe. The Falcons lead the competition for just about every attacking statistic with the most points, tries, goals, line breaks, try assists and line break assists of any team. Falcons have also only scored fewer than 30 points on three occasions this year, two of which were in the opening three rounds of the competition.
Notable mention: Jim Lenihan - Burleigh Bears
Predicted Petero Civoniceva Medal winner
Harry Grant - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The end of season awards will be held at Brisbane City Hall on Friday, September 27 with the players of the Queensland Rugby League statewide competitions and representative teams to be celebrated.
Tickets to the event are on sale via QRL Hospitality.
