Round 2 Team of the Week: Dolphins fullback Fuller inspires comeback
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Two draws, close contests and plenty of doubles scored headlined Round 2 of Hostplus Cup.
The game between PNG Hunters and Souths Logan, and the feature game between Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins, could not be split.
Wynnum Manly Seagulls beat Brisbane Tigers by two points, Northern Pride beat Mackay Cutters by four, Tweed Seagulls beat Western Clydesdales by four, and Central Queensland Capras beat Townsville Blackhawks by eight. All close contests.
Dolphins fullback Trai Fuller was a standout for his side in their 2 draw with the Devils, earning himself the Hastings Deering player of the match and Hostplus strong performer nods for the round.
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.
Round 2 Team of the Week
1. Trai Fuller - Redcliffe Dolphins (C)
The electric Dolphins fullback was dangerous with the ball during his side's draw with Norths Devils, earning himself the Hasting Deering player of the match nod. Fuller scored one try, assisted in one try, registered 207 run metres, two line breaks, one line break assist, six tackle breaks and four tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency. Central Queensland's Blake Moore was also good with two from two conversions, 78 run metres and four try assists. PNG Hunters star Morea Morea should also get a mention with one try, one try assist, 112 run metres, one line break and four tackle breaks. And the Round 1 Team of the Week fullback Sualauvi Faalogo was excellent with one try, one try assist, four from five conversions, 129 run metres, three line break assists and one tackle break.
2. Kaleb Ngamanu - Tweed Seagulls
The Seagulls winger was instrumental to their win over Western Clydesdales in Round 2. Ngamanu scored two tries, registered 195 run metres, including 53 post-contact, two line breaks and three tackle breaks. Central Queensland's Brandon Roberts was also good with two tries, 86 run metres, one line break, one tackle break and eight tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
3. Valynce Te Whare - Redcliffe Dolphins
The barnstorming Dolphins centre was superb in Round 2. Te Whare scored two tries, registered 152 run metres, including 62 post-contact, two line breaks and five tackle breaks. Sunshine Coast's Young Tonumaipea was also good with two tries, 97 run metres and one tackle break, as was Western Clydesdales centre Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, scoring one try, kicking three from four conversions and registering 170 run metres, including 72 post-contact, and three tackle breaks.
4. Treymain Spry - Tweed Seagulls
Spry was unstoppable for the Seagulls against Western Clydesdales; he scored two tries, registered 126 run metres, three line breaks and eight tackle breaks. Townsville's Brendon Elliott performed well in Round 2 with two tries, 100 run metres, one line break and three tackle breaks and Norths Devils mainstay Connor Broadhurst was on fire, scoring one try, kicking four from five conversions, registering 117 run metres, one line break and six tackle breaks.
5. Grant Anderson - Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Sunshine Coast winger, who is signed with Melbourne Storm, scored one try, assisted in two tries, registered 171 run metres, three line breaks and three tackle breaks. Central Queensland's Tom Farr, who was at Wynnum Manly for season 2022 but has moved north, also performed well with two tries, 132 run metres, two line breaks and four tackle breaks.
6. Sakias Komati - PNG Hunters
Komati was excellent for the Hunters against Souths Logan Magpies in Round 2 during what was a passionate and very physical clash. Komati scored two tries, assisted in one try, registered 105 run metres, two line breaks, one line break assist and 19 tackles.
7. Jock Madden - Norths Devils
Madden, who is signed with the Brisbane Broncos, was a standout performer for the Devils. The handy half scored two tries, assisted in one try, registered 158 run metres, one line break, one line break assist, three tackle breaks and 13 tackles. Sunshine Coast's Jack Wright was superb with one try, two try assists, 125 run metres, two line break assists and one tackle break.
8. Jaymon Moore - Northern Pride
The Pride prop was on fire in Round 2. Moore, during his 48 minutes on the field, scored two tries, registered 66 run metres, two line breaks, four tackle breaks and 17 tackles.
9. Tristan Hope - Brisbane Tigers
Hope, who has joined the Tigers from Wynnum Manly, was strong against his old club in Round 2. Hope scored one try, assisted in one try, kicked three from five conversions, registered 64 run metres, three tackle breaks and 28 tackles. Wynnum Manly's Tyson Smoothy was good in defence with 41 tackles.
10. Nathan Watts - Redcliffe Dolphins
Watts was excellent in the middle for the Dolphins in Round 2. The burly prop, during his 58 minutes on the field, scored one try, registered 132 run metres, one line break, three tackle breaks and 31 tackles at 93.93 per cent tackle efficiency. Devils prop Xavier Willison was also good during his 49 minutes on the field with 118 run metres, one line break assist, three tackle breaks and 22 tackles.
11. Klese Haas - Tweed Seagulls
The Tweed second rower put in a good performance for his side, registering 115 run metres, including 39 post-contact, one try assist, two line break assists, four tackle breaks and 30 tackles with 90.91 per cent tackle efficiency. Sunshine Coast's Jack Gibbons also performed well with two tries, 137 run metres, two line breaks, four tackle breaks and 13 tackles.
12. Kane Bradley - Brisbane Tigers
Bradley, who played for Mackay Cutters in season 2022, was good for the Tigers in their tight loss to Wynnum Manly. The second rower scored one try, assisted in one try, registered 62 run metres, one line break, one tackle break and 22 tackles with 95.65 per cent tackle efficiency.
13. Rory Ferguson - Souths Logan Magpies
The Souths Logan captain led by example during his 61 minutes on the field in Round 2. Ferguson registered 134 run metres, including 54 post-contact, and made 38 tackles with 97.44 per cent tackle efficiency. Central Queensland's Lachlan Hubner was also good during his 48 minutes on the field, with one try, 74 run metres, one line break, three tackle breaks and 29 tackles.
14. Matt Milson - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Wynnum Manly's Matt Milson was excellent in Round 2 with two tries, one try assist, 135 run metres, one line break, one line break assist, five tackle breaks and eight tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
15. Benji Kot - PNG Hunters
PNG's Benji Kot was good with one try, 211 run metres, including 71 post-contact, two line breaks and seven tackle breaks.
16. Brendan Piakura - Norths Devils
The Devils second rower, who is signed with Brisbane Broncos, was excellent in Round 2. Piakura scored one try, registered 102 run metres, two line breaks, one line break assist, six tackle breaks and 16 tackles.
17. Cruise Ten - Souths Logan Magpies
Ten, during his 34 minutes on the field, put in a huge effort for his side against the Hunters with one try, 86 run metres, one line break, six tackle breaks and 11 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
