The Burleigh Bears proved formidable yet again in Round 5 of the Holcim Cup, keeping a clean sheet to further highlight their standing as the best defensive team of the competition.
The Bears dominate this week’s team of the week selections; however, there were a number of attention-grabbing performances from players across other teams who have also been rewarded this week.
Each week, QRL.com.au will publish a Holcim Cup team of the week made up of outstanding performances by players in the competition each round.
The team is selected by Queensland Rugby League Football and Digital staff, in consultation with Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons coaches Jason Hetherington, Karyn Murphy and Nat Dwyer, who are closely following each rounds’ action.
On demand: Holcim Cup Round 5
Holcim Cup Round 5 team of the week
1. Karina Brown – Burleigh Bears
Brown continued to improve throughout the tournament and in Round 5 she once again was a key figure for the Bears as they added to their wins tally. Known for her good communication skills, Brown picked up another try and featured heavily in both attack and defence for her side.
2. Jodeci Nicholson – Burleigh Bears
A hat-trick across her two games capped off a strong game for the Bears young gun. Playing as a half during her development as a player, Nicholson has been doing a good job for her side on the wing and finished team plays well to get her four-pointers.
3. Teaghan Hartigan – Burleigh Bears
Hartigan is an energetic player and was again heavily engaged for the Bears. Never one to shy away from defence, Hartigan’s strong carries were also instrumental to helping get the ball out of Burleigh’s own half of the field.
4. Meg Ward – Souths Logan Magpies
The Maroons representative produced some eye-catching tries for the Magpies and really involved herself in the plays this week. Playing in the halves earlier in the tournament, Ward showed what she can do when given some space out wide.
5. Hayley Maddick – Souths Logan Magpies
The talent touch convert filled in at fullback for star custodian Tamika Upton this week and did a tremendous job; positioning herself well and chiming in as needed.
6. Tarryn Aiken – Tweed Seagulls
The Seagulls halfback produced her trademark footwork and showed her knack of playing eyes up football in her side’s first half win over West Brisbane Panthers. Never afraid to take on the line, Aiken produced both a try assist and a try of her own.
7. Zahara Temara – Burleigh Bears
An integral part of Burleigh’s success each week so far, Temara’s appeal is in her ability to trust her footballing instincts. While sometimes it may seem that she’s the only one to know what’s coming next, but most of the time, things come off for Temara as she looks to get her hands on the ball as often as possible.
8. Taimane Levu – West Brisbane Panthers
The talented young forward has hit a purple patch of form and has been consistently strong for West Brisbane in recent weeks. Once again a try-scorer at the weekend, Levu was a powerful presence on the field.
9. Brittany Breayley – Burleigh Bears
Her impressive control and heavy defensive workload is what makes Breayley such a reliable performer in any team she’s in. Once again, the Maroons hooker provided good service and spark out of dummy half for Burleigh.
10. Bri Clark – West Brisbane Panthers
Starting at lock, Clark did a lot of the hard yards up front and provided the aggression needed to help spark her side into life. While there were a couple errors in amongst the big hits and strong runs, it was mostly because she was so involved for side, bringing plenty of energy to the field.
11. Tazmin Gray – Burleigh Bears
Gray picked up another try for her tally at the weekend, one showcasing why she’s such an effective member of her team, backing up a break from her halfback. A strong defender when not being deployed on forward runs, Gray is always looking for ways to be involved.
12. Tallisha Harden – Burleigh Bears
Harden proved tough to bring down for the defence and made plenty of good runs for her side during their two wins.
13. Lavinia Gould – West Brisbane Panthers
The versatile Panther had a roving commission in Round 5 and her injection onto the field was immediately felt. The tough competitor helped lift West Brisbane, with their attacking intent more evident with her involvement.
14. Lauren Brown – Burleigh Bears
The second appearance in the team of the week for the crafty Bears five-eighth (main image), the Rugby Sevens star has with taken to rugby league with aplomb, particularly in attack.
15. Chelsea Lenarduzzi – Burleigh Bears
The Maroons forward came back with a bang in Round 5, returning from a long injury-induced stint on the sideline. Lenarduzzi got right amongst it on the field and made her presence felt, in defence in particular.
16. Jess Elliston – Tweed Seagulls
Leading the way once again for the Seagulls, the Maroons forward was highly involved in all aspects for her side and featured in some important go-forward runs.
17. Chante Temara – Burleigh Bears
The Bears super sub and lock gives nothing up in toughness in defence, despite her size. With a fantastic tackle technique and absence of fear, Temara puts her whole heart into to her work. Similarly in attack, Temara is a threat with her creative ability.
