Round 22 of the Intrust Super Cup had its fair share of star performers, but none better than Redcliffe Dolphins utility Harrison Smith, who scored three tries for Redcliffe after coming off the bench in the 35th minute.
Each round, QRL recognises the 17 best performers and name the Intrust Super Cup Team of the Week; these team selections are based not only on statistical data, but also take on board live and broadcast viewings of the games, with the standout performer of the week named captain.
1. Michael Purcell - Ipswich Jets
The ‘kangaroo catcher’ was on fire in Round 22, scoring two tries, kicking three goals, busting four tackles and running for 124 metres during the Jets' 28-26 victory over the Mackay Cutters at North Ipswich Reserve.
2. Talor Walters - Tweed Seagulls
The outside back has relished the recent move to wing for the Seagulls, having scored eight tries in his past five games, including back-to-back hat-tricks between Rounds 21 and 22. Walters' greatest asset has been his running game, recording 167 running metres, including three linebreaks, 36 post-contact metres and seven tackle breaks from 12 carries in Round 22.
3. Siti Moceidreke - Sunshine Coast Falcons
Despite only playing for 25 minutes, the former South Sydney Rabbitohs ace played a key role in the Falcons' 20-14 victory over the Burleigh Bears in Round 22, scoring two tries within the opening 17 minutes of the match.
4. Solomone Kata - Easts Tigers
The Tigers may not have won their Round 22 clash against Northern Pride, but the Melbourne Storm-contracted centre was a standout performer in a losing side with a huge 234 running metres, including seven tackle breaks, 77 post-contact metres, and two linebreaks from 17 carries.
5. Tyronne Roberts-Davis - Burleigh Bears
The former Gold Coast Titans flyer was by far the Bears' best performer in Round 22, notching up a massive 205 running metres and scoring two tries in a narrow 14-20 defeat to the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
6. Ash Taylor - Tweed Seagulls
Taylor showed his experience and controlled the game with his boot, registering 370 kick metres and two try assists in the Seagulls' 42-20 victory over Souths Logan Magpies at Davies Park.
7. Todd Murphy - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The veteran playmaker was instrumental for the Falcons in their 20-14 victory over the third-placed Burleigh Bears, with 343 kick metres, one try assist, two goals, and 104 running metres in a Hastings Deering Man of the Match performance.
8. Corey Jensen - Townsville Blackhawks
It was powerhouse performance from the Blackhawks front rower, who ran for a massive 203 running metres from 21 carries, and made 22 tackles with 100 per cent effectiveness, in just 49 minutes.
9. Harrison Smith - Redcliffe Dolphins (C)
The 20-year-old Dolphins utility enjoyed his best game of the season with 109 running metres, nine tackle breaks, and three tries in just 44 minutes off the bench.
10. David Murphy - Northern Pride
The 108kg forward inspired a second half comeback, running for a huge 207 metres from 22 carries, including 86 post-contact metres in Pride’s 18-16 victory over Easts Tigers in Cairns.
11. Ben White - Ipswich Jets
The Jets edge backrower enjoyed his best game of the season for the Jets in Round 22, running a season-high 121 running metres, busting six tackles and scoring his first try of the season with a strong run to force his way over in the 13th minute.
12. Jamie Hill - CQ Capras
The young Capras forward took it to an experienced Norths Devils outfit, leading his team from the front and recording 172 running metres, 66 post-contact metres, and 38 tackles in an 80-minute performance. Hill currently leads the competition for tackles with 785, with one round of the regular season remaining.
13. Tom Gilbert - Townsville Blackhawks
Surely this bloke is close to an NRL debut for the North Queensland Cowboys, after yet another solid performance for the Blackhawks in Round 22. Townsville were down to 12 men for the second half, but Gilbert - along with the rest of the Townsville pack - held his own, finishing the game with 178 running metres and 36 tackles, with only one missed tackle.
14. Mitch Cronin - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Cronin was a standout performer in a losing side, registering 110 running metres and 57 tackles in the Seagulls' narrow 18-22 loss to the Blackhawks in Townsville.
15. Tesi Niu - Souths Logan Magpies
Souths Logan couldn’t quite get the job done for Brendon Gibb in his final game of Cup, however one shining light for the home side was the performance of Niu. The Magpies fullback enjoyed his best game of the season with three try assists and 104 running metres to his name.
16. Jordan Riki - Norths Devils
Riki was a standout performer for the Devils in Round 22, registering 122 running metres, busting six tackles and scoring the winning try for Devils in the 59th minute.
17. Nick Brown - Redcliffe Dolphins
It was a workhorse effort from the Dolphins middle forward in Round 22, registering 116 running metres, 22 tackles and two tries in just 42 minutes.
