Round 12 Team of the Week: Neale's captain's knock inspires Jets
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The players of the Hostplus Cup stood up and delivered in a big way in Round 12, with a number of awe-inspiring performances across the competition.
Not only was it hard to select a final 17, but the competition for Hostplus strong performer was red hot. Redcliffe winger Edward Kosi put in an impressive case with an outstanding effort in attack for his side against Central Queensland.
But it was too hard to ignore the performance of one of the competition's stalwarts, Nat Neale, who put in a massive captain's knock to inspire the Ipswich Jets to their first victory of the year.
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 12 Team of the Week
1. David Mead - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The veteran back made a huge impact against Sunshine Coast Falcons, shining in attack for his side. Not only did Mead score one try in the 20-12 victory, but he notched up 184 run metres off 18 runs, made seven tackle breaks, and one line break. It was a big week for fullbacks across the competition with last week's Hostplus strong performer Julian Christian once again influential for Northern Pride, while Ryland Jacobs (Tweed), Tomas Chester (Townsville) and Trai Fuller (Redcliffe) were also impressive.
2. Edward Kosi - Redcliffe Dolphins
The Dolphins' backs are some of the strongest in the Hostplus Cup and this week it was Kosi's time to shine. The winger scored a hat-trick in Redcliffe's 24-24 draw with Central Queensland and ran for an enormous 213 metres, made eight tackle busts and three line breaks to be one of the best performers in Round 12.
3. Gideon Gela-Mosby - Northern Pride
The former North Queensland Cowboy was one of the standouts for the Pride in their strong 30-6 victory over the PNG Hunters. Gela-Mosby scored one try and set up another, and amassed 174 run metres, made eight tackle breaks, two line breaks and two line break assists.
4. Curtis Dansey-Smaller - Central Queensland Capras
The Redcliffe versus Central Queensland clash was one of the toughest games of Round 12. Dansey-Smaller really stood up for the Capras, bagging a double. He also had one try assist, made five tackle busts, ran for 160 metres, and registered one line break and one line break assist. Joining Dansey-Smaller and Gela-Mosby in putting in strong performances from the centres was Brisbane's Solomona Faataape - who ran for an incredible 205 metres against the Blackhawks - and Redcliffe's Valynce Te Whare, who fell just short of making the Team of the Week for a third straight round. Te Whare scored one try, registered 172 run metres off 11 runs, and made eight tackle breaks in another massive effort.
5. Matiu Stone-Dunn - Burleigh Bears
Burleigh go from strength-to-strength every round and this week shocked Norths Devils with a 54-18 victory. Stone-Dunn was a huge part of this win, scoring a hat-trick. Stone-Dunn also made four tackle busts, two line breaks, and ran for 89 metres. One winger who was unlucky to miss out on Team of the Week in Round 12 was Mackay's Laitia Moceidreke after he scored a double against Tweed. Other performances worthy of a special mention include Sione Hopoate (Wynnum Manly), Jedidiah Simbiken (Central Queensland), and Robert Derby (Northern Pride).
6. Josh Rogers - Burleigh Bears
It was yet another massive performance from Burleigh five-eighth Josh Rogers. In the club's comprehensive win over Norths, Rogers set up two tries, had one tackle break, line break and line break assist, and kicked seven from 10 conversions. His combination with halfback Guy Hamilton is proving to be extremely successful for the competition-leading Bears. Ipswich five-eighth Gerome Burns also starred for his side with a try and 22 tackles, while Central Queensland's Radean Robinson was very impressive against a determined Redcliffe outfit.
7. Guy Hamilton - Burleigh Bears
It was hard to split Hamilton and Ipswich's Lachlan Cooper, but it was the Burleigh halfback who earned a place in the Round 12 Team of the Week. Hamilton set up four tries in his side's win, ran for 71 metres, made five line break assists, and had 10 kicks for 290 metres. Cooper also deserves a special mention, with three try assists, two tackle busts, 79 run metres and 13 tackles. Tyran Wishart (Sunshine Coast) and Sam Scarlett (Wynnum Manly) also put in strong performances in Round 12.
8. Nathaniel Neale - Ipswich Jets (C)
It has been a long time since Ipswich last won, but their 26-18 win over Souths Logan Magpies was a well-deserved one, especially for skipper Neale. The veteran forward earned this week's Hostplus strong performer nod after making a jaw-dropping 55 tackles in a 72-minute effort, missing just one tackle the entire game. He also stood up in attack, scoring the opening try for his team, and made four tackle busts and one line break, as well as amassing 133 run metres off 13 runs. Big efforts from Neale.
9. Rhys Jacks - Ipswich Jets
Standing alongside his skipper with another inspirational effort in defence was Ipswich hooker Jacks. The pair ensured Souths Logan weren't going to take the two points, with Jacks making 47 tackles in the middle. Other hookers who stood out in Round 12 include Jacks' opposition number, Christian Hazard (Souths Logan) with 37 tackles, while Sunshine Coast's Tyson Smoothy remains one of the club's most reliable players, with 44 tackles against Wynnum Manly.
10. Nick Lui-Toso - Northern Pride
In a big week for props across the state, Lui-Toso was a very deserving winner of the Round 12 Hastings Deering player of the match award. He was instrumental in his side's 30-6 win over PNG, with a big all-round performance. Lui-Toso scored one try, notched up 151 run metres, made five tackle busts, one line break, and 34 tackles in an inspiring 59-minute performance. Other impressive props in Round 12 include Brisbane's Jordan Grant, Redcliffe's Lachlan Timm, and Norths' Rhys Kennedy off the bench.
11. Hayden Schwass - Burleigh Bears
In just 35 minutes on the field, Schwass absolutely terrorised Norths. In his short stint, the second rower bagged a double and set up another try, made 90 run metres off eight runs, and had five tackle busts, two line breaks and one offload to his name.
12. Zac Hosking - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
A number of players really helped to deliver Wynnum Manly their victory over Sunshine Coast and Hosking was no exception. The backrower scored one try, made 32 tackles, ran for 147 metres, and registered four tackle breaks, one line break and one offload. Special mentions go to other second rowers Sherwin Tanabi (PNG), TC Robati (Wynnum Manly), Nixon Putt (Central Queensland), and Ewan Coutts (Mackay).
13. Luke Bateman - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The always consistent and reliable Bateman had another big game for the Seagulls. Against Sunshine Coast Bateman put in 59 minutes, running for 128 metres and making 31 tackles and one tackle bust in that time. An honourable mention also goes to another consistent performer in Souths Logan's Rory Ferguson, who ran for 138 metres and made 31 tackles in a 70-minute performance.
14. Herman Ese'ese - Burleigh Bears
It was hard to leave Ese'ese out of this week's starting side after he put on an attacking masterclass against Norths. But given the all-round performances of fellow props Neale and Lui-Toso, it had to be done. However, Ese'ese was incredible for his side, leading from the front with a huge 205 run metres, four tackle busts and one try.
15. Will Partridge - Northern Pride
Another player deserving of a starting spot in a really tough week is Pride winger Partridge. The Pride were on fire this week and Partridge scored a double for his team, kicked three conversions, ran for 171 emtres, and made three tackle breaks and two line breaks.
16. Taine Tuaupiki - Burleigh Bears
Burleigh fullback Tuaupiki combined well with his halves pairing of Rogers and Hamilton to ensure the Bears' commanding win. Tuaupiki scored one try and set up another, made five tackle busts, notched up 115 run metres, and registered two line breaks, one line break assist, and one offload.
17. Deine Mariner - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Rounding out this round's Team of the Week is Wynnum Manly winger Mariner. It was another huge effort in attack from the speedster, who amassed 215 run metres off 13 runs, made seven tackle busts and two line breaks for his side.
