Round 8 Team of the Week: Duffy dominates to send Pride to top of the table
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It was a weekend of upsets and massive scorelines in the Hostplus Cup and the big results have equated to big player performances.
With the Western Clydesdales taking a shock two points over the Redcliffe Dolphins and the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Northern Pride and PNG Hunters running away with big victories on Sunday, there were a number of players who stood up to support their teams.
Jonathon Reuben scored a stunning four tries for the Seagulls while Alex Max bagged a hat-trick for the Hunters. Fua Schwalger and Corey Fenning were a handful for the Clydesdales.
But it was Pride halfback Tom Duffy who picked up captaincy honours for a sizzling performance against the Jets.
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 8 Team of the Week
1. Lachlan West – Northern Pride
The 2023 Colts player of the year is fitting in nicely up north following his Cup debut in Round 6 against the Norths Devils. West scored a try in that game and followed it up with three more in his Round 8 clash with the Ipswich Jets, proving to be an absolute handful at North Ipswich Reserve. West also set up a fourth try and ran for 148 metres with five tackle busts, a line break, line break assist and one offload to earn his first Team of the Week appearance.
Hastings Deering Colts Player of the Year Lachlan West
2. Jonathon Reuben – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The wet and muddy conditions at Piggabeen Sports Complex on Sunday were not enough to slow down try-scoring machine Reuben, with the winger crossing a stunning four times for Wynnum Manly in their big flockbuster win over Tweed. Reuben also ran for 114 metres with three line breaks and one tackle break.
3. Alex Max – PNG Hunters
In his first starting appearance in the Hostplus Cup, Max put his best foot forward to help the Hunters to a massive win over the Townsville Blackhawks on Sunday. The centre - who debuted off the bench in Round 4 - bagged a hat-trick at Townsville's Jack Manski Oval and also impressed with 160 run metres, six tackle busts, four line breaks and eight tackles in a solid performance.
4. Corey Fenning – Western Clydesdales
The young Parramatta product was a standout for the Western Clydesdales in their much-needed upset win over the Redcliffe Dolphins on Saturday. Only three games into his Hostplus Cup career, Fenning played a big part in the try that equalled the scores at 30-all late in the match and then went on to kick the winning conversion to hand his team their first victory for 2024. Fenning also had two tries of his own, 91 run metres, three tackle busts and two line breaks, as well as 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
5. Jordan Pereira – Souths Logan Magpies
The Brisbane Broncos affiliate was sensational against the Central Queensland Capras in Rockhampton. Pereira scored a double to get his side the win and also ran for 166 metres with nine tackle busts, one line break and one offload in a strong attacking performance. Elsewhere, Grant Anderson was impressive for Sunshine Coast while Jensen Taumoepeau was strong for Northern Pride.
6. Joshua Lau – PNG Hunters
The PNG playmaker was electric against the Townsville Blackhawks on Sunday, executing his role exactly as needed. Lau set up three tries in the 52-16 victory and also recorded three line break assists. He finished with 68 run metres, two offloads, one line break and one tackle bust in a destructive attacking performance.
7. Tom Duffy – Northern Pride (C)
The North Queensland Cowboys affiliate took control of the Northern Pride on Saturday - stepping up without his usual halves partner Jake Clifford - to put on an attacking masterclass to sink the Jets. Earning captaincy honours, Duffy scored a try and set up another four tries to contribute heavily to the 56-12 scoreline. He also kicked eight of 10 conversions. The 20-year-old young gun also registered 61 run metres, two line break assists, one tackle bust and 10 kicks for 252 metres. He also finished with 100 per cent tackle efficiency, with 16 tackles made in total.
8. Jack Natapu – Brisbane Tigers
Natapu brought plenty of energy from the bench in the bounce back victory for the Tigers over the Mackay Cutters on Saturday. The young prop played just 38 minutes but smashed his way through 157 run metres and also scored a try to return to the winner's circle. Natapu also made 16 tackles.
9. Cory Paix – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The Brisbane Broncos-contracted rake excelled for Wynnum Manly on Sunday and was a clear standout for his side in their victory over Tweed. Paix set up two of the tries for his side and also recorded three tackle busts, one line break, one line break assist, one offload, 44 run metres and 30 tackles with zero misses.
10. Brandon Russell – Mackay Cutters
Similar to Natapu, Mackay forward Russell came off the bench in Saturday's clash and made his presence be known. In 48 minutes Russell scored a try, smashed his way through 122 run metres, recorded eight tackle busts, one line break and one offload, and made 29 tackles in a strong, all-round performance.
11. Whallan Tau-Loi – PNG Hunters
The PNG backrower bagged a double on Sunday and proved to be quite the handful in attack for the Blackhawks. Tau-Loi ran for 110 metres, had seven tackle busts and two line breaks, and made 25 tackles in a big win for his side.
12. Dane Aukafolau – Northern Pride
From Townsville down to Ipswich, it was another backrower nabbing two tries for his team, with Aukafolau crossing twice against the Jets on Sunday. In 68 minutes on the field, Aukafolau also ran for 115 metres and had four tackle busts, two offloads, one line break and 24 tackles.
13. Sam Coster – Burleigh Bears
Another week, another mighty effort from Sam Coster. In a no-frills performance, the Burleigh veteran got through a mountain of work to earn his side the two points over the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Coster played all but four minutes and in that time worked up 144 run metres with a tackle bust and an offload and also made 42 tackles, with zero misses. A special mention goes to Clydesdales lock Takai Mokohar who also had a big performance against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
14. Guy Hamilton – Burleigh Bears
Moved to the bench only because of Duffy's standout performance for the Pride, Guy Hamilton was key to his side's victory over the Falcons on Saturday. The little general kicked a field goal in the 66th minute to give his side the edge, before playing a hand in Kea Pere's try in the dying stages, which sealed the game at 17-10. Hamilton had two try assists overall and 148 run metres, four tackle breaks, and 22 tackles.
15. Fua Schwalger – Western Clydesdales
Schwalger crossed for the try that equalled the scores at 30-all in the dying minutes of the Clydesdales' clash with the Redcliffe Dolphins, the winger making a stunning effort to back up Corey Fenning. Schwalger - who has been one of the Clydesdales' most consistent - amassed a stunning 205 run metres across the whole match and also had four tackle breaks and one line break.
16. Ethan Quai-Ward – Souths Logan Magpies
Quai-Ward has been pushing for Team of the Week selection each round and was too hard to ignore this week for his efforts against the Central Queensland Capras. The talented centre scored a try, ran for 170 metres, had five tackle breaks and two offloads to play his part in the win.
17. Kea Pere – Burleigh Bears
The Burleigh forward scored a double in their tight win over the Falcons, with his two tries helping to make all the difference. He crossed for the final four-pointer in the dying minutes and also racked up 203 run metres, seven tackle breaks, one line break assist and 18 tackles.
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