The return of Intrust Super Cup was a welcomed one at the weekend, with plenty of tight tussles, flashy tries and solid performances from players across the 14 teams.
Players and officials donned blue socks for Turn to Me Round, to highlight the issue of mental health and wellbeing, and reinforce the importance of mateship during the off season.
Souths Logan Magpies weapon Ethan Quai-Ward was a standout, earning himself the Hastings Deering player of the match gong and Redcliffe Dolphins talent Jayden Nikorima scored a hat-trick and excelled to earn himself skipper honours for the Round 19 Team of the Week.
Each round, Queensland Rugby League recognises the 17 best performers and name the Intrust Super Cup Team of the Week. These team selections are based not only on statistical data, but also take on board live and broadcast viewings of the games, with the standout performer of the week named captain.
Round 19 Team of the Week
1. Terry Wapi - PNG Hunters
The Hunters fullback scored the first two tries for his side in Round 19 proving hard to stop at the line. Wapi impressed during his 51 minutes on the field despite his side's loss, clocking 98 run metres. Wapi also had two line breaks, two line break assists, four tackle breaks and made five tackles.
2. Jon Reuben - Norths Devils
The Devils prolific try-scorer scored a double during his side's 36-12 win over Central Queensland Capras which saw the club claim this year's minor premiership with two rounds to play. Reuben also clocked 191 run metres, including 49 post-contact metres, made two line breaks and eight tackle breaks.
3. Ethan Quai-Ward - Souths Logan Magpies
Quai-Ward was instrumental in his side's win over PNG Hunters, scoring two important tries, one against the run to play to keep his side in the match. Quai-Ward had the most run metres for the Magpies with 239, including 60 post-contact, and most line breaks with one. He also made seven tackle breaks.
4. Lee Turner - Tweed Seagulls
The Seagulls centre scored a double in his side's win over Northern Pride to keep them in a good position in the finals race. Turner also clocked 128 run metres, including 48 post-contact, had the most line breaks for the Seagulls with two, made two tackle breaks and made 12 tackles with a 92.3 per cent tackle efficiency.
5. Andre Niko - Burleigh Bears
The Bears winger did what he does best during his side's Round 19 clash against Ipswich Jets - and that's score tries. Niko scored two of them in Burleigh's impressive win against the Ipswich Jets, clocking 129 run metres, one line break and one tackle break along the way. Niko, who was a Canberra Raiders junior, joined the club this year.
6. Jayden Nikorima - Redcliffe Dolphins (C)
What a game for the experienced campaigner. Nikorima scored a hat-trick during his side's huge 52-12 win over Brisbane Tigers. He also kicked six from 10 conversion attempts, taking his points tally to 24. Nikorima also clocked 103 run metres, made two line breaks, one line break assist, one try assist, five tackle breaks and made 16 tackles with a 94.1 per cent tackle efficiency.
7. Jack Ahearn - Norths Devils
The Devils skipper was on fire in Round 19. The talented halfback scored one try, clocked 159 run metres, including 29 post-contact. Ahearn also made two line breaks, two line break assists, had four try assists, four tackle breaks and made 13 tackles. Wynnum Manly's Jayden Berrell who is typically a hooker was also strong, named player of the match against Sunshine Coast Falcons.
8. Tom Ale - Redcliffe Dolphins
The New Zealand Warriors-contracted talent was impressive in his return from injury and was named his side's player of the match for his contribution to their big win. Ale, during his 47 minutes on the field, scored one try, clocked 178 run metres, including 74 post-contact, made one line break, eight tackle breaks, and made eight tackles.
9. Josh Chudleigh - Townsville Blackhawks
The Blackhawks hooker was superb in yet another standout performance for the Blackhawks. Chudleigh made the most tackles for his team in the win against Mackay with 38. A former player of the year winner in the Intrust Super Cup, Chudleigh also clocked 73 run metres and made one tackle break. Devils hooker Liam Horne was also on fire with one try and one try assist.
10. Joe Boyce - Townsville Blackhawks
Boyce, during his 45 minutes on the field, clocked 197 metres - the highest for the game - including a whopping 96 post-contact. Boyce also had two tackle breaks and made 18 tackles with a 94.7 per cent tackle efficiency in a strong overall performance.
11. Matiu Love-Henry - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Love-Henry was named captain for the Seagulls for this game and got things going well for his team against Sunshine Coast Falcons, scoring a try straight away. During his 57 minutes on the field, he also clocked 62 run metres including 32 post-contact, made one line break, three tackle breaks and made 18 tackles. Tweed Seagulls talent Lamar Manuel-Liolevave was also strong.
12. Thomas Rafter - Sunshine Coast Falcons
Rafter was strong in a losing side in Round 19, putting in another effort-based performance. The second rower scored one try, clocked 126 run metres, including 48 post-contact, made one line break, one line break assist, one try assist, seven tackle breaks and made 29 tackles, missing only two.
13. Tristan Hope - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Hope scored a double in Round 19, including one that made this week's Top Five highlights reel. He also clocked the most run metres for Wynnum Manly with 144, including 49 post-contact, made one line break, three tackle breaks and made the most tackles for his side with 33 tackles, missing only two.
Top five: Intrust Super Cup Round 19
14. Sami Sauiluma - Burleigh Bears
A consistent performer for the Bears, powerful centre Sauiluma scored one try, clocked 171 run metres, including 63 post-contact, made one line break, one line break assist, one try assist, two tackle breaks and made 11 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
15. Liam Hampson - Tweed Seagulls
Hampson was an impact player for the Seagulls in their win against the Pride, proving plenty of key involvements. During his 55 minutes on the field, he ran 84 metres, made one line break, one line break assist, one try assist, two tackle breaks and made 17 tackles with a 94.4 per cent tackle efficiency.
16. Isaiah Tass - Souths Logan Magpies
The Magpies centre's kicking game was phenomenal in Round 19. Tass crucially kicked five from five conversions, one penalty goal, taking his points tally to 12. He also clocked 158 run metres, including 78 post-contact, made three tackle breaks and 12 tackles.
17. Samuel Yegip - PNG Hunters
A powerful forward Yegip impressed in a losing sideduring his 37 minutes on the field. Yegip scored one try after steamrolling over the line and also clocked 77 run metres, including 43 post-contact. The former Hela Wigmen player made one line break and six tackle breaks, and made 13 tackles during his side's close 32-26 loss against the Magpies.
