Tuaupiki and Storch take top honours at QRL Awards

Central Queensland Capras captain Mariah Storch and exciting Burleigh Bears fullback Taine Tuaupiki have today been acknowledged as the premier players in their respective competitions at the 2022 Queensland Rugby League Awards.

Storch was announced as the Steph Hancock BMD Premiership Player of the Year after leading the Capras into this year’s grand final, while Bears flyer Tuaupiki was presented with the Petero Civoniceva Medal as the Hostplus Cup’s best and fairest.

Players from both QRL statewide competitions polled points (3-2-1) throughout the season, with the final standings formally unveiled in front of more than 350 guests at Brisbane City Hall on Friday, September 23.

The BMD Premiership Player of the Year award went right down the wire – just like the grand final in which Storch’s Capras team were pipped on the bell by the North Queensland Gold Stars.

This time though it was better news for Storch, who edged out grand final rival Emma Manzelmann to claim the award.

Both players tallied eight points, however Storch was declared the winner as she received points in more games than Manzelmann and was therefore deemed the most consistent.

Burleigh’s Sophie Buller also tallied eight points but was deducted a point for an on-field charge.

Storch was also named in the BMD Premiership Team of the Year.

The Civoniceva Medal was dominated by Tuaupiki, who scorched the rest of the field with 24 points, well clear of Trey Browne (18), Tyson Smoothy (17), Lindon McGrady (16), Trai Fuller (14) and Nick Lui-Toso (13).

In addition to the prestigious Civoniceva Medal, Tuaupiki took out Rookie of the Year and was announced as the premier fullback in the Hostplus Cup Team of the Year.

The rejuvenated Capras had plenty to celebrate at the awards, with head coaches Amanda Ohl (BMD Premiership) and Lionel Harbin (Hostplus Cup) named as the premier coaches in their respective competitions.

Capras rising star Emmanita Paki was the BMD Premiership Rookie of the Year.

She was also named in the Team of the Year alongside teammates Tamika Upton and Storch.

Along with the leading performers from this year’s statewide competitions, today’s awards also celebrated the immense contribution of community rugby league participants and volunteers.

Miles Devils Senior Rugby League were the XXXX Community Club of the Year, while a Northern Districts program run in conjunction with Walk With Me 4 Autism was rewarded for their commitment to All Abilities rugby league (Auswide Bank Community Program of the Year).

Queensland Rugby League Awards

Presented by Stage and Screen Travel Services

Steph Hancock BMD Premiership Player of the Year: Mariah Storch, Central Queensland Capras

Petero Civoniceva Medal: Taine Tuaupiki, Burleigh Bears

BMD Premiership Coach of the Year: Amanda Ohl, Central Queensland Capras

BMD Premiership Rookie of the Year presented by the Carbine Club: Emmanita Paki, Central Queensland Capras

Hostplus Cup Rookie of the Year presented by the Carbine Club: Taine Tuaupiki, Burleigh Bears

Hostplus Cup Coach of the Year: Lionel Harbin, Central Queensland Capras

Hostplus Cup Leading Points Scorer presented by Struddys: Josh Rogers, Burleigh Bears

Hostplus Cup Leading Try Scorer presented by Struddys: Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Burleigh Bears

Hastings Deering Colts Player of the Year: Jonah Glover, Brisbane Tigers

Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup Player of the Year: Jye Gray, Souths Logan Magpies

BMD Premiership Team of the Year

Fullback - Tamika Upton, Central Queensland Capras

Winger - Lauren Moss, North Queensland Gold Stars

Centre - Emmanita Paki, Central Queensland Capras

Five-eighth - Sarah Field, North Queensland Gold Stars

Halfback - Tahlulah Tillett, North Queensland Gold Stars

Prop - Essay Banu, Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Hooker - Emma Manzelmann, North Queensland Gold Stars

Second rower - Mariah Storch, Central Queensland Capras

Second rower - Romy Teitzel, North Queensland Gold Stars

Lock - Destiny Brill, North Queensland Gold Stars

Hostplus Cup Team of the Year

Fullback - Taine Tuaupiki, Burleigh Bears

Winger - Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Burleigh Bears

Centre - Valynce Te Whare, Redcliffe Dolphins

Five-eighth - Josh Rogers, Burleigh Bears

Halfback - Guy Hamilton, Burleigh Bears

Prop - Nick Lui-Toso, Northern Pride

Hooker - Tyson Smoothy, Sunshine Coast Falcons

Second rower - Nixon Putt, Central Queensland Capras

Lock - Sam Coster, Burleigh Bears

State of Origin Awards

Annie Banks Medal: Ali Brigginshaw

Renae Kunst Medal: Sarah Walker

Ron McAuliffe Medal: Patrick Carrigan

FOGS Peter Jackson Memorial Award: Ben Hunt

Community Awards

Auswide Bank Community Program of the Year: Walk With Me 4 Autism All Abilities Rugby League Experience, Northern Districts   

XXXX Community Club of the Year: Miles Devils Senior Rugby League Club

XXXX League Championship: Townsville 

Shell V-Power Volunteer of the Year: Shelly Roberton, Ipswich Rugby League 

Harvey Norman Female Contribution Award: Jacintha McAvoy-Geia, Valley Diehards

NED Whisky Community Coach of the Year: Bradley Hulm, Emerald Junior Tigers