Team of the Week Round 10: Five-eighths Rogers and Robinson reign supreme
Round 10 was split across two weekends and it was similarly hard to split the contenders of who should be captain and take the title of this round's Hostplus strong performer.
Central Queensland Capras five-eighth Radean Robinson was outstanding in his side's close win against Wynnum Manly Seagulls, earning himself the title of Hastings Deering player of the match in the game at Stradbroke Island.
Redcliffe Dolphins speedster Trai Fuller was again unstoppable, following on from his Round 9 Hostplus strong performer nod and was only pipped by an outstanding showing from Burleigh Bears five-eighth Josh Rogers, who is this round's Hostplus strong performer winner.
Each round, Queensland Rugby League recognises the 17 best performers and names 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 10 Team of the Week
1. Trai Fuller - Redcliffe Dolphins
The always electric Fuller had yet another blinder for the Dolphins, this time in their commanding 54-0 victory over the Ipswich Jets. Not only did he score a stunning hat-trick, but the Redcliffe No.1 set up another try, notched up 242 run metres and made five tackle breaks, in a display that highlighted his incredible attacking prowess. Blake Moore was also a huge performer for the Capras, making 224 metres, producing a try assist and a line break assist.
2. Alofiana Khan Pereira - Burleigh Bears
The young Bears back is loving his time in the Hostplus Cup of late and is a force to be reckoned with in attack. This week in the win against Brisbane Tigers, the Gold Coast Titans-contracted back made a big 219 metres, with three line breaks and three tackle breaks. Souths Logan Magpies winger Jordan Pererira also performed well in a losing side, making 214 metres (63 post contact), two line breaks and three tackle breaks.
3. Blake Paskins - Mackay Cutters
The Cutters centre bagged a double to get his side back in the winner’s circle, with a 28-18 triumph over Townsville Blackhawks. He racked up 118 run metres, four tackle breaks and two line breaks in a dominant attacking performance.
4. Valynce Te Whare - Redcliffe Dolphins
In his debut game of Hostplus Cup, Te Whare showed why the NRL Dolphins have signed him up for next season, putting in a barnstorming performance. On his way to scoring a double, the rugby union convert also ran for 168 metres, made three line breaks, 14 tackle breaks and produced a try assist. There were many great centre contenders this round, but his performance could not be overlooked.
Dolphins recruit Valynce Te Whare keen to 'be a sponge'
5. Brayden McGrady - Norths Devils
Running just short of 200 metres with 199 and scoring a try, McGrady was in fine form on the wing for the Devils in their close loss to Sunshine Coast Falcons. With seven tackle breaks to his name and two line breaks, McGrady proved hard to handle. Another winger with a solid performance in a losing side was BJ Aufaga-Toomaga from Brisbane Tigers, who crossed for a double.
6. Josh Rogers - Burleigh Bears (c)
The performance for the Burleigh Bears five-eighth in his side's big win against a strong Brisbane Tigers team was simply too good to ignore, with three tries putting an exclamation mark on an standout showing which has earned him the Hostplus strong performer honours for this week. Rogers also booted 10 from 11 conversions as well as making 163 metres and producing two try assists, a line break, four tackle breaks and four line break assists.
7. Guy Hamilton - Burleigh Bears
In his 100th game of Cup, Bears halfback Guy Hamilton put on a show alongside his halves partner Rogers. Hamilton chimed in with a try, produced three try assists in Burleigh's 64-14 win and also had a line break assist, two tackle breaks, a line break and 270 metres from 11 kicks. Hamilton pipped veteran Capras halfback Jack Madden who paired magnificently with his five-eighth partner Radean Robinson, who is also unlucky not to make it into the starting Team of the Week side this round.
Top five: Hostplus Cup Round 10
8. JJ Collins - Tweed Seagulls
In a 52-minute performance, Collins made his presence felt against the PNG Hunters. He helped lead his side to their 24-22 victory, scoring a try, and averaged 12 metres per run for a total of 120 run metres. He busted his way through the Hunters defence, making seven tackle breaks, and held his own in defence with 24 tackles. Every week he plays, Ipswich Jets skipper Nat Neale can be counted on to more than carry his defensive load and he did that again in a tough match against the Dolphins, making a round-high 46 tackles.
9. Sheldon Pitama - Redcliffe Dolphins
Another hat-trick hero for Redcliffe, Pitama was everywhere you looked in the Dolphins’ Saturday victory over the Jets. He earned 12 points to his name, registered 119 run metres off 12 runs, an impressive seven tackle breaks, three line breaks, and 21 tackles.
10. Sylvester Namo - PNG Hunters
Namo has been a consistently solid performer up front for the PNG Hunters this season and produced a big game again in his side's agonisingly close loss to Tweed Seagulls. Namo made 100 metres and had a tackle break to add to his game-high 38 tackles.
11. Nixon Putt - Central Queensland Capras
The PNG international played a crucial role in the Capras’ tight 24-22 win over Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Stradbroke Island, scoring the try that levelled the scores at 22-22 with minutes to go. But it wasn’t just the equaliser that sees Putt in the Team of the Week, with the forward running for an incredible 149 metres off 14 runs, including 51 post-contact, and making 18 tackles.
12. Zac Hosking - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Wynnum Manly may not have come away with the two points against Central Queensland, but second rower Hosking played his part in ensuring it was a close contest. He was one of his side’s top performers in defence, racking up an astounding 30 tackles, and made 107 run metres off 10 runs. Bears backrow pair Jacob Alick and Hayden Schwass were also strong contenders in a team that all stood up against the Tigers.
13. Patrice Siolo - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Falcons skipper was a solid performer for his team, making 161 metres from his 15 runs, the most for his side. The Auckland-born forward also produced a line break and three tackle breaks during his 64 minutes on the field, while also making 26 tackles. Jamie Hill was also strong for the Capras with 130 metres run and 20 tackles.
14. Radean Robinson - Central Queensland Capras (vc)
In any other week, the performance of the young Capras talent would warrant a starting spot and captain duties after claiming Hastings Deering player of the match honours in his side's win, but this week he was pipped by the Hostplus strong performer winner and fellow five-eighth Josh Rogers. During the game on Stradbroke Island, Robinson scored two tries, made 110 metres, produced a try assist, a line break assist, made two line breaks of his own and two tackle breaks.
15. Jayden Hodges - Northern Pride
In a 63-minute performance, Hodges was instrumental in his side’s 24-16 win over Souths Logan Magpies, topping the tackle count for the game. Hodges made 43 tackles in his time on the field and also registered 127 run metres, one try assist, and three tackle breaks.
16. Sami Sauiluma - Burleigh Bears
Skipper Sauiluma was again outstanding for the Bears in their big win and is enjoying a good run of form this season. As well as scoring a double, the powerful centre also made 156 run metres, produced six tackle breaks, two line breaks and a line break assist.
17. Ethan Quai-Ward - Souths Logan Magpies
In a losing side, the Souths Logan Magpies centre put in a commendable effort, running for 233 metres - 73 of them post contact - from his 20 runs. The Broncos-contracted back also produced eight tackle breaks and made a solid 12 tackles, while his fellow centre Brenko Lee also put in with two try assists, two line break assists and 84 metres run.
