Round 8 Team of the Week: Kalolo had a cracker

Round 8 of Hostplus Cup saw teams step up in challenging conditions - with very wet fields and rain pelting down - and players excelled across all of the seven games. 

Daniel Atkinson starred for Sunshine Coast Falcons in the feature game of the round to earn himself the Hastings Deering player of the match gong and Wynnum Manly's Kalolo Saitaua had a cracker with a hat-trick to be named the Hostplus strong performer for Round 8 and skipper for the Round 8 Team of the Week. 

Each round, Queensland Rugby League recognises the 17 best performers and name the Hostplus Cup Team of the Week, presented by Hostplus. These team selections are based not only on statistical data, but also take on board live and broadcast viewings of the games.

Round 8 Team of the Week

1. Ben Farr - Wynnum Manly Seagulls

The talented fullback, who starred during Wynnum Manly's Hasting Deering Colts grand final win last year, was a standout in Round 8. Farr scored two tries, kicked six from eight conversions, registered a massive 262 run metres, including 69 post-contact, made one line break and 13 tackle breaks. 

2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira - Burleigh Bears

The young Gold Coast Titans-contracted winger showed off his skills during his side's win over Mackay Cutters. Khan-Pereira scored two of Burleigh's five tries, registered 129 run metres, had one line break assist and three tackle breaks. 

3. Lee Turner - Tweed Seagulls

The Tweed centre was excellent as his side beat Northern Pride 28-0. Turner scored one try, registered a whopping 242 run metres, including 70 post-contact, had one line break assist, made eight tackle breaks and 16 tackles with 94.08 per cent tackle efficiency. 

4. Dredin Sorensen - Wynnum Manly Seagulls

The Wynnum Manly centre, a consistent performer for the side, scored two tries, registered 138 run metres, made two line breaks, eight tackle breaks and eight tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency to earn his spot in the Round 8 Team of the Week. 

5. Will Warbrick - Sunshine Coast Falcons

The Melbourne Storm-contracted talent was superb as the Storm players and staff watched on to see the Falcons play and beat fellow Storm-feeder club Brisbane Tigers at Sunshine Coast Stadium. Warbrick scored one try, registered 200 run metres, including 116 post-contact, made one line break and four tackle breaks.

6. Josh Rogers - Burleigh Bears

Rogers is always solid for the Bears. In Round 8, the handy half assisted in two tries, registered 81 run metres, kicked two penalty goals, kicked two from five conversion attempts, made one line break assist, one tackle break and made 19 tackles with 95 per cent tackle efficiency. 

7. Daniel Atkinson - Sunshine Coast Falcons

The Falcons half was pivotal to their win against the Tigers, earning himself the Hastings Deering player of the match gong for the feature game. Atkinson scored one try, registered 65 run metres, made one line break, three tackle breaks, 17 tackles with 94.52 per cent tackle efficiency, and registered 136 kick metres.

8. Kalolo Saitaua - Wynnum Manly Seagulls (C)

Saitaua is having a cracker of a season so far with Wynnum Manly, spurred on by missing most of last year through injury. He was an impact player for the Seagulls off the bench in Round 8; in 44 minutes, he scored a hat-trick of tries, assisted in one try, registered 99 run metres, made four line breaks, six tackle breaks and 17 tackles. Brisbane Tigers prop George Fai was also excellent with one try, 116 run metres, one line break, two tackle breaks - and one helluva cross-field cover tackle. 

9. Jake Turpin - Wynnum Manly Seagulls

The Brisbane Broncos-contracted hooker made his debut for Wynnum Manly at the weekend and was an asset from the get-go. Turpin, during his 55 minutes on the field, assisted in two tries, had two line break assists and made 32 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency. Falcons hooker Tyson Smoothy was also good with a huge 46 tackles at 95.65 per cent tackle efficiency.

10. Sylvester Namo - PNG Hunters

The Hunters stepped up against Townsville Blackhawks in Townsville in Round 8, and Namo was a big part of that. The Hunters weapon, during his 57 minutes on the field, scored two tries, registered 110 run metres, made one line break, four tackle breaks and 16 tackles with 94.08 per cent tackle efficiency. Redcliffe Dolphins talent Lachlan Timm was also good with 175 run metres, including 69 post-contact, one tackle break and 35 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.

11. Emmanuel Waine - PNG Hunters

Namo's teammate Waine was also on fire during their win. During his 53 minutes on the field, Waine scored one try, assisted in one try, registered 154 run metres, including 49 post-contact, made two line breaks, eight tackle breaks and 15 tackles.

12. Jeremiah Simbiken - Redcliffe Dolphins

The Dolphins second rower was phenomenal in trying conditions at Moreton Daily Stadium in Round 8. Simbiken scored two tries, registered 107 run metres, including 51 post-contact, made two line breaks, six tackle breaks and 23 tackles with 92 per cent tackle efficiency.

13. Luke Bateman - Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Bateman always makes an impact for Wynnum Manly and Round 8 was no different, despite the wet conditions. Bateman registered 122 run metres, assisted in one try, had one line break assist and made 19 tackles. Tweed lock Braden Robson was also good with 88 run metres, one tackle break and 33 tackles.

14. Rhys Kennedy - Norths Devils

The Brisbane Broncos-contracted prop was first to score a try for the Devils at Bishop Park in Round 8. Kennedy, during his 56 minutes on the field, also registered 139 run metres, including 49 post-contact, made one line break, five tackle breaks and 29 tackles.

15. Cody Hunter - Redcliffe Dolphins 

The Dolphins half was dangerous in Round 8. Hunter assisted in two tries, kicked five from five conversions, kicked one penalty goal, registered 95 run metres, had three line break assists, made four tackle breaks and 12 tackles.

16. Paul Turner - Tweed Seagulls

The Gold Coast Titans-contracted fullback was a standout at Tugun. Turner scored one try, assisted in one try, registered 196 run metres, 123 kick return metres, made one line break, two line break assists, nine tackle breaks and four tackles, missing none. 

17. Taine Tuaupiki - Burleigh Bears

Another fullback to get a run in the Round 8 Team of the Week after stellar performance. Tuaupiki scored one try, assisted in one try, registered 178 run metres, including 46 post-contact, had two line break assists and made five tackle breaks.