Finals Week 1 Team of the Week: Hubner hums to help Capras progress
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Every game during the first week of finals was a tight one, with teams fighting it out to progress towards the big dance on September 24.
Central Queensland Capras gun Lachlan Hubner was on fire for his side against Northern Pride, helping his team progress and earning himself the Hastings Deering player of the match and Hostplus strong performer honours for 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.
Finals Week 1 Team of the Week
1. Julian Christian - Northern Pride
The talented fullback was on fire for Pride during his side's loss to Central Queensland Capras. Christian scored two tries, registered 185 run metres, three line breaks and five tackle breaks in what was his final game for the year.
2. Jamayne Isaako - Tweed Seagulls
The Gold Coast Titans-contracted winger was instrumental to his side progressing to Finals Week 2. Isaako scored one try, registered 193 run metres, including 43 post-contact, made three line breaks, three tackle breaks and four tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
3. Sami Sauiluma - Burleigh Bears
Sauiluma, not long back from injury, was impressive for the minor premiers - as expected. The 2021 Cup centre of the year scored one try, registered 213 run metres, including 114 post-contact, made one line break and four tackle breaks during his side's 20-19 loss against Norths Devils.
4. Tony Tumusa - Norths Devils
The electric Devils centre was excellent during his side's win against the Bears. Tumusa scored one try, registered 171 run metres, including 49 post-contact, made one line break, one line break assist and eight tackle breaks to help his team progress in finals.
5. Scott Galeano - Tweed Seagulls
Galeano, a consistent performer for the Seagulls, was on fire. The gun winger scored one try, registered 150 run metres, including 51 post-contact, one line break, three tackle breaks and seven tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
6. Will Brimson - Tweed Seagulls
Brimson brought razzle dazzle to his side during their win over the Bears, earning himself the Channel Nine player of the match honours. The talented five-eighth scored two tries, registered 173 run metres, two line breaks, one line break assist and nine tackle breaks to help his team progress.
7. Cody Hunter - Redcliffe Dolphins
The Dolphins half was excellent during his side's win over the Falcons. Hunter registered one try assist, 125 run metres, including 29 post-contact, one line break, one line break assist, four tackle breaks and 222 kick metres.
8. Bailey Butler - Central Queensland Capras
The Capras prop was very good during his 41 minutes on the field, scoring one try, registering 131 run metres, including 43 post-contact, one line break, five tackle breaks and 10 tackles.
9. Tyson Smoothy - Sunshine Coast Falcons
Smoothy was excellent during his side's Finals Week 1 clash and will need to continue his fine form into Finals Week 2, when the Falcons face Tweed Seagulls. Smoothy made a huge 47 tackles with 92.16 per cent tackle efficiency, registered one try assist, kicked one from three conversions, one field goal, registered 53 run metres, one line break assist and five tackle breaks. Bears hooker Pat Politoni was also excellent with two try assists and 34 tackles.
10. Tyler Szepanowski - Central Queensland Capras
Szepanowski was superb during his 45 minutes on the field. The gun prop scored one try, registered 127 run metres, including 29 post-contact, one line break, five tackle breaks and made 21 tackles.
11. Connelly Lemuelu - Northern Pride
The Pride second rower, who is contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys, was very good during his final Cup game for the year. Lemuelu scored one try, registered 119 run metres, including 24 post-contact, one line break, five tackle breaks and 27 tackles.
12. Jack Howarth - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Melbourne Storm-contracted second rower was strong for the Falcons in the first week of finals. Howarth registered 159 run metres, including 72 post-contact, six tackle breaks, a one-on-one steal and 25 tackles. Dolphins second-rower Pride Petterson-Robati was also good with 158 run metres, including 76 post-contact, two tackle breaks and 27 tackles.
13. Lachlan Hubner - Central Queensland Capras (C)
The Capras lock was on fire, earning himself the Hastings Deering player of the match for the feature game of the round. Hubner, during his 56 minutes on the field also filled in at hooker and scored two tries, registered 116 run metres, three line breaks, seven tackle breaks and 34 tackles. Bears lock Sam Coster was also excellent with 45 tackles with 97.83 per cent tackle efficiency.
14. Trai Fuller - Redcliffe Dolphins
The dynamo Dolphins fullback was as good as always with 284 run metres, including 103 post-contact, three line breaks and a massive 11 tackle breaks to help his team progress in finals.
15. Josh Rogers - Burleigh Bears
Rogers was fantastic in a losing side at the weekend. He scored two tries, kicked three from three conversions, registered 144 run metres, two line breaks, four tackle breaks and 15 tackles.
16. Kierran Moseley - Norths Devils
The experienced hooker was on fire in attack and defence during his side's 20-19 win over the Bears. Moseley scored one try, registered 112 run metres, one line break, three tackle breaks and a huge 42 tackles.
17. Valynce Te Whare - Redcliffe Dolphins
Te Whare was excellent for the Dolphins against the Falcons. He scored one try, registered 99 run metres, one line break, one line break assist, five tackle breaks and 26 tackles.
