Round 14 saw several key victories for sides looking to cement their place in this year’s Top 6.
The Northern Pride dominated the Team of the Week selections after their stunning come-from-behind win against competition front runners Burleigh. Fellow North Queensland feeder club, Townsville Blackhawks also feature heavily in this week’s team after their 32-point victory over Easts Tigers.
Take a look below at which players QRL Media's Nathan Jones thought made some outstanding contributions for your favourite teams last weekend.
>> Each round, QRL Media recognise the 17 best performers and name the Intrust Super Cup ‘Team of the Week’*. These team selections will be based not only on statistical data, but will also take on board live and broadcast viewings of the games, with the standout performer of the week to be named captain.
1. Ben Hampton (Northern Pride) (c)
The Cowboys-contacted fullback sent a strong message to coach Paul Green with one of the most dominant individual performances to date, in season 2018. Hampton scored two tries, set up a further two, busted seven tackles and ran for a huge 258m in a Hastings Deering Man of the Match performance.
2. Kalifa Faifai Loa (Townsville Blackhawks)
The experienced Blackhawks winger was at his best in Round 14, running for 189m from 21 carries, and scoring his eighth try of the season in the 77th minute, capping off a convincing win for the Townsville side.
3. Gehamat Shibasaki (Norths Devils)
The young Norths Devils centre continues to trouble his opposition with his strong running game and footwork at the line, and Round 14 was no different; scoring a try, busting four tackles, running for 202m and setting up a try for winger Namila Davui in the 25th minute. After Round 14, Shibasaki now averages 144m running metres per game.
4. Marion Seve (Souths Logan Magpies)
A solid performer in a losing side, the Souths Logan centre continues to push his claims for a XXXX Queensland Residents call up, with his strong running game and tackle-busting ability, running for 162m, busting seven tackles and scoring a try in the 64th minute. The 96kg centre continues to be one of the most damaging ball runners in the competition, sitting in third place for most run metres with 1960, with an average of 150m per game.
5. Gideon Gela-Mosby (Northern Pride)
With the recent form slump of North Queensland Cowboys, Northern Pride flyer Gideon Gela-Mosby was looking to impress, and played a key role in securing a last-minute victory against the Burleigh Bears, scoring the winning try in the final minute of the game. Mosby, troubled his opposition with his speed and footwork, busting 3 tackles and breaking the line on two occasions.
6. Jalen Feeney (Townsville Blackhawks)
Back-to-back Team of the Week appearances for the Blackhawks half. Feeney was instrumental for Townsville in their 32-point victory over the Tigers with two try assists, two line break assists, 258 kick metres and 141 running metres.
7. Jake Clifford (Northern Pride)
An outstanding performance from the Pride half in Round 14, securing victory for his side with a conversion from the sideline after fulltime. Clifford was again lethal with the boot kicking five from five conversions, kicking in play for 278m and setting up a try with a kick for fullback Hampton in the 69th minute.
8. Jacob Hind (Sunshine Coast)
The Sunshine Coast forward was a standout performer in the Falcons 14-8 victory over Souths Logan, running for 100m, busting 6 tackles, scoring a try and making 39 tackles.
9. Jake Turpin (Redcliffe Dolphins)
In just his second game back from injury, the Dolphins rake was a solid performer in a losing side, setting up three tries, making 37 tackles and kicking for 145m.
10. Jordan Grant (Mackay Cutters)
A shining light for the Mackay Cutters, the 109kg front-rower made a number of strong carries against a hard-hitting Hunters forward pack, running for 185m from 17 carries. Grant also aimed up in defence with 33 tackles.
11. David Fifita (Souths Logan Magpies)
It was a big week for the Magpies wrecking-ball, after he captained the Queensland Under 18 side on Wednesday evening. Fifita backed up for Souths Logan with an impressive 80-minute performance, where he ran for 190m, made a line break and busted eight tackles. After just three games, the Broncos-contracted forward averages 173m and eight tackle breaks per game.
12. Andrew Niemoeller (Townsville Blackhawks)
A dominant performance from the Townsville edge back-rower, running for 141m, making 28 tackles and scoring two tries.
13. Ben Shea (Ipswich Jets)
Currently second in the competition for Run Metres with 2024m from 201 carries; the Ipswich lock-forward was again at his damaging best , running for 194m, busting five tackles and getting over for two meat pies.
14. Adex Wera (PNG Hunters)
PNG fullback Wera was simply unstoppable against the Mackay Cutters, running for a huge 286m (most of any player in 2018), making two line breaks, four tackle breaks and scoring a sensational 70m try in the 25th minute.
15. Connor Jones (Northern Pride)
The Pride utility had an immediate impact off the bench for Northern Pride, setting up a try for winger Murray Taulagi in the 24th minute, and then capitalising on a Ben Hampton line break, to score a try for himself in the 32nd minute. The Pride utility also aimed up in defence making 31 tackles.
16. Patrick Carrigan (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
Wynnum back-rower continues to go from strength-to-strength, and was a standout performer for the Seagulls in their 30-24 victory over the Ipswich Jets. Carrigan maintained a high work rate for the full 80 mins, with 169 running metres and making 41 tackles.
17 . Matt Robinson (Burleigh Bears)
Burleigh edge back-rower had his best game of the 2018 Intrust Super Cup season, setting up a try, running for 106, making two line breaks and scoring a try to give Burleigh an early lead in the first half.
*The team selections are the opinions of QRL Media only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the QRL.
