Round 2 Team of the Week: Rogers on fire in attack

Round 2 of the Hostplus Cup saw three teams win with a score of 26, one draw, one one-point win after a later field goal and finished with the Central Queensland Capras sitting on top of the table.

Redcliffe Dolphins' Pride Petterson-Robati was excellent, earning himself the Round 2 Hastings Deering player of the match honours for the feature game, and Burleigh Bears half Josh Rogers was dangerous in attack and defence, earning himself the Hostplus strong performer for the week and captain honours for the Round 2 Team of the Week.

Each round, Queensland Rugby League recognises the 17 best performers and name 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, with the standout performer of the week named captain. 

Round 2 Team of the Week

1. Scott Drinkwater - Mackay Cutters

North Queensland Cowboys-contracted fullback Scott Drinkwater was instrumental in the side's win over Ipswich Jets at North Ipswich Reserve. Drinkwater scored one try, assisted in two tries, registered 140 run metres, had one line break assist and five tackle breaks. Northern Pride's Julian Christian, Brisbane Tigers fullback Tony Pellow and Redcliffe Dolphins speedster Trai Fuller were also impressive in Round 2.

2. Solomona Faataape - Brisbane Tigers

The Tigers winger scored a double during his side's 22-22 draw with Souths Logan Magpies in Round 2. Faataape also registered 130 run metres, including 42 post-contact, had two line breaks and three tackle breaks. 

3. Blake Paskins - Mackay Cutters

The Cutters centre was excellent in Round 2, scoring one try, registering a whopping 200 run metres, including 57 post-contact, he had one line break and eight tackle breaks. Souths Logan Magpies talent Ethan Quai-Ward was also impressive with one try, 138 run metres, one line break assist and 19 tackles with a 95 per cent tackle efficiency.

4. Justin Worley - Redcliffe Dolphins

The Dolphins centre was lethal in attack and defence with 261 run metres, including 76 post-contact, one line break, eight tackle breaks, as well as 19 tackles with a 90.48 per cent tackle efficiency. 

5. Gideon Gela-Mosby - Northern Pride

The Pride winger was dangerous for his side whenever he had the ball and was solid in defence against Wynnum Manly in Round 2. Gela-Mosby scored one try, registered 122 run metres, two line breaks, three tackle breaks and made 10 tackles with a 100 per cent tackle efficiency. Townsville Blackhawks winger Kalifa Faifai-Loa was also good in attack with one try, one try assist, one line break and five tackle breaks.

6. Josh Rogers - Burleigh Bears (C)

Rogers is the Round 2 Hostplus strong performer after a stellar outing for the Bears against Townsville Blackhawks, particularly in attack. The five-eighth scored one try, kicked four from four conversions, kicked a penalty goal, registered 87 run metres, 195 kick metres, one line break, one line break assist, one try assist and six tackle breaks. 

7. Lindon McGrady - Tweed Seagulls

The Tweed captain, who is a consistent performer for his side, kicked four from five conversion attempts, had two line breaks, one try assist and made 22 tackles with a 100 per cent tackle efficiency. Mackay Cutters half Brandon Finnegan was also strong with one try, eight from nine kicks and one try assist. Dolphins half Adam Cook also gets a nod for his epic field goal to secure his side a win against 2021 premiership winners Norths Devils.

8. Bailey Butler - Central Queensland Capras

The Capras are sitting on top of the Cup ladder after two rounds and prop Butler has plenty to do with that. Butler, during his 41 minutes on the field, scored one try, registered 88 run metres, including 34 post-contact, had one line break, eight tackle breaks and made 21 tackles.

9. Haele Finau - Brisbane Tigers

The Tigers hooker was superb for his side in Round 2. During his 53 minutes on the field, Finau scored one try, registered 71 run metres, two line breaks, two line break assists, one try assist, three tackle breaks and made 29 tackles. Wynnum Manly Seagulls hooker Harrison Graham also excelled with 41 tackles with a 95.35 per cent tackle efficiency and Tweed Seagulls hooker Brent Woolf was also impressive with one try, 84 run metres, one line break, one tackle break and 26 tackles.

10. Tristan Powell - Burleigh Bears

The Bears prop, during his 61 minutes on the field, scored one try, registered 180 run metres, including 83 post-contact, one line break, five tackle breaks and made 27 tackles with a 90 per cent tackle efficiency. Ipswich Jets consistent performer Nat Neale was also excellent during his side's loss, with one try assist and a whooping 41 tackles with a 95.35 per cent tackle efficiency.

11. Brendan Frei - Norths Devils

Frei is back from his knee injury and just as good as ever, putting in a solid performance for the Devils in Round 2. The second rower, during his 56 minutes on the field, scored one try, registered 92 run metres, had one line break, three tackle breaks and made 25 tackles with a 96.15 per cent tackle efficiency. 

12. Thomas Rafter - Sunshine Coast Falcons

The Falcons second rower was a stand-out for his side during their loss to Tweed Seagulls in Round 2. Rafter had one try assist, one line break assist and made the most tackles for his side with 33, with a 97.06 per cent tackle efficiency. Brisbane Tigers lock Dan Russell was also strong, making the most tackles for his side with 34 and missing none.

13. Riley Price - Townsville Blackhawks

The Blackhawks lock, son of former Queensland Maroons forward Steve Price, was phenomenal during his 51 minutes on the field against Burleigh Bears. Price scored one try, registered 127 run metres, including 60 post-contact, had one line break, five tackle breaks and made 21 tackles. 

14. Pride Petterson-Robati - Redcliffe Dolphins

Petterson-Robati was solid for the Dolphins in Round 2, earning himself the title of Hastings Deering player of the match for the feature game of the round. During his 52 minutes on the field, Petterson-Robati registered 154 run metres, including 63 post-contact, assisted in one try, had 11 hit-ups and made 25 tackles.

15. Kalolo Saitaua - Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Saitaua was excellent off the bench for Wynnum Manly at Iona College. During his 62 minutes on the field, Saitaua registered 113 run metres, two line break assists, eight tackle breaks and made 24 tackles with a 96 per cent tackle efficiency. 

16. Christian Hazard - Souths Logan Magpies

Hazard, during his 51 minutes on the field for the Magpies made his time count and scored one try, registered 66 run metres, made three tackle breaks and 32 tackles, missing none. 

17. Sam Lavea - Norths Devils

Lavea, during his 26 minutes on the field, scored one try, registered 87 run metres, had one line break, one tackle break and made 15 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.