Round 1 Team of the Week: Dearden a super handy half

Intrust Super Cup Round 1 had it all - stellar performances in every game, two games broadcast, upsets and torrential rain. 

There was plenty of talent on show during the opening round, with Souths Logan Magpies halfback Tom Dearden topping the list of impressive performances.

Dearden put in a gutsy showing against 2019 premiership winners Burleigh Bears at a very soggy Davies Park, earning himself Hastings Deering player of the match and captain of the first Team of the Week. 

Each round, Queensland Rugby League 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. Reece Walsh - Norths Devils

The lively Devils fullback, currently signed with the Brisbane Broncos but who recently signed with the New Zealand Warriors for season 2022, was simply impressive. Walsh scored two tries and kicked six goals during the Devils' 40-10 win over Brisbane Tigers. The youngster also registered one line break and five tackle breaks during the game.

2. Kevin Locke - Souths Logan Magpies

The 31-year-old winger, who has returned to Cup after stints with the New Zealand Warriors, and the Salford Red Devils and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the Super League, stood out in Souths Logan's 36-20 win over Burleigh in the rain. Locke scored two tries, kicked two goals, and registered one line break and three tackle breaks, during the game.

3. Rocco Berry - Redcliffe Dolphins

The Dolphins centre, who is contracted to the Warriors, scored two tries, registered 22 tackles and clocked 99 run metres, including 43 post-contact metres, during the the Dolphins' 30-28 win over Mackay Cutters. 

4. Lee Turner - Tweed Seagulls

The Seagulls centre scored one try, made 13 runs and clocked 162 metres with the ball, including 52 post-contact, and registered one line break, one line break assist and five tackle breaks during his 80 minutes on the field. 

5. Kalifa Faifai-Loa - Townsville Blackhawks 

The exciting Blackhawks winger, 31, was impressive during his 113th Cup game; his 50th for the Blackhawks. Faifai-Loa clocked 174 run metres, including 76 post-contact metres, during the Blackhawks' 46-12 win over Ipswich Jets. Fellow Blackhawks winger Bacho Salam was also impressive, scoring one of their eight tries; as was Corey Oates for the Magpies. 

6. Tom Dearden - Souths Logan Magpies (C) 

Dearden, contracted to the Broncos, was on fire during the Magpies' 36-20 win over the Bears at Davies Park. The crafty five-eighth scored two tries during his 80 minutes on the field and secured himself the Hastings Deering player of the match. Wynnum Manly's Jack Campagnolo was also impressive; as was the Blackhawks' Kyle Laybutt. 

7. Toby Sexton - Tweed Seagulls

The young Tweed halfback was a gun during the Seagulls' 28-18 win over the Capras at the weekend. Sexton, contracted to the Titans, scored one try, had one line break, one tackle break and made 22 tackles during the game. 

8. Wiremu Greig - Northern Pride

The Pride prop was a standout for Pride during the side's 28-12 win over Sunshine Coast Falcons in Round 1. Grieg, during his 43 minutes on the field, scored two tries, ran 106 metres, including 44 post-contact, made two line breaks, five tackle breaks and 23 tackles. 

9. Josh Chudleigh - Townsville Blackhawks 

The Blackhawks hooker scored a hat-trick of tries during the Blackhawks' 46-12 win over the Jets. During his 76 minutes on the field he also had one try assist, clocked 109 run metres, including 37 post-contact, three line breaks, seven tackle breaks and made 24 tackles. Burleigh's Pat Politoni and Wynnum Manly hooker Jayden Berrell were also super impressive during their Round 1 clashes.

10. Luke Bateman - Wynnum Manly Seagulls

The new signing for the Seagulls, who joined the 2019 grand finalists from Canberra Raiders and won the BRL grand final with the Seagulls in 2020, provided impact off the bench in his Cup debut for the club. Bateman, during his 67 minutes on the field, scored one try, clocked 84 run metres, including 34 post-contact, and registered one line break, two tackle breaks and 39 tackles. 

11. Nixon Putt - Central Queensland Capras

Putt, who joined the Capras from the Devils for season 2021, looked comfortable in his new colours during the Capras' Round 1 loss to Tweed. Putt crossed for one try, clocked 120 run metres, including 47 post-contact, had one line break and two tackle breaks during his 80 minutes on the field.  

12. Brendan Frei - Norths Devils

Frei got a double for the Devils during their 40-10 win over the Tigers in Round 1. Frei also registered two line breaks, the most for his team, 105 run metres, including 21 post-contact, and 20 tackles. 

13. Keenan Palasia - Wynnum Manly Seagulls

The Wynnum Manly prop, who is contracted to the Broncos, was a standout during the Seagulls' 20-18 win over PNG Hunters in Round 1. Palasia made 17 runs, clocked 129 run metres, including 37 post-contact, made three tackle breaks and 29 tackles during his 76 minutes on the field. 

14. Nat Neale - Ipswich Jets

The Jets skipper was his consistent best during the Jets' loss to the Blackhawks. The prop made a whopping 43 tackles, with 100 per cent tackle efficiency, during his 63 minutes on the field. Neale also made 113 run metres, including 46 post-contact, and made four tackle breaks during the game.

15. Kobe Hetherington - Souths Logan Magpies

Hetherington, who is contracted to the Broncos, was excellent for the Magpies in the wet in Round 1. The young lock registered 159 run metres, including 70 post-contact, one line break assist and 26 tackles. 

16. Lloyd Perrett - Burleigh Bears

Perrett, who joined Burleigh from Wynnum Manly, was strong off the bench. Perrett scored two tries, clocked 89 run metres, including 32 post-contact, two line breaks, seven tackle breaks and 16 tackles during his 32 minutes on the field. 

17. Terry Wapi - PNG Hunters

The Hunters fullback was a standout in the losing side in Round 1. Wapi scored one try, clocked 175 run metres, including 66 post-contact, during his 21 runs and registered two line breaks and five tackle breaks during his 80 minutes on the field.