Round 3 Team of the Week: Deine dominates with four tries

Round 3 of Hostplus Cup was a cracker, with three of the six games going down to the wire.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Brisbane Tigers, Tweed Seagulls, Central Queensland Capras, Townsville Blackhawks and Burleigh Bears all came away with wins in Round 3.

Wynnum Manly centre Deine Mariner excelled for his side with four tries to earn himself the Hostplus strong performer nod and skipper duties for the Round 3 Team of the Week. Burleigh halfback Guy Hamilton was excellent in the feature game, earning the Hastings Deering player of the match honours. 

Western Clydesdales, Sunshine Coast Falcons and Souths Logan Magpies had the week off and will return in XXXX Rivalry Round this 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.

Round 3 Team of the Week

1. Morea Morea - PNG Hunters

The Hunters fullback has been on fire for the opening rounds of the season. In Round 3 in Port Moresby, Morea scored a hat-trick of tries, assisted in one try, kicked three from four conversions, registered 161 run metres, two line breaks, two line break assists and seven tackle breaks. Norths Devils skipper Jack Ahearn was also strong with one try, one try assist, one line break and two tackle breaks.

2. Max Lehmann - Brisbane Tigers

The Tigers winger was a standout for his side in Round 3. Lehmann scored a hat-trick of tries, registered 174 run metres, including 51 post-contact, two line breaks and eight tackle breaks. 

3. Sami Sauiluma - Burleigh Bears

The Bears skipper led by example in his side's win over Redcliffe Dolphins. Sauiluma scored two tries, assisted in one try, and registered one line break and one tackle break. Central Queensland Capras centre Oliver Gildart was also impressive with one try, 114 run metres, including 46 post-contact, one line break, two tackle breaks and 20 tackles at 100 per cent tackle efficiency.

4. Deine Mariner - Wynnum Manly Seagulls (C)

The Wynnum Manly centre, who is signed with the Brisbane Broncos, was unstoppable. Mariner scored four tries, registered 123 run metres, four line breaks, eight tackle breaks and eight tackles at 100 per cent tackle efficiency. Blackhawks centre McKenzie Baker was also superb with one try, one try assist, 140 run metres, including 43 post-contact, one line break, two tackle breaks and 22 tackles at 95.65 per cent tackle efficiency.

5. Jon Reuben - Norths Devils

Consistent performer Reuben was excellent in Round 3. The speedy winger scored one try, assisted in one try, registered 167 run metres, one line break and five tackle breaks.

6. Josh Rogers - Wynnum Manly Seagulls

The Wynnum Manly five-eighth helped guide his side to their big win over Ipswich Jets, assisting in four tries, kicking seven from nine conversions and registering 170 run metres, four line break assists, three tackle breaks and 113 kick metres. Tweed Seagulls' Tom Weaver was also good with four try assists, four line break assists and 126 kick metres.

7. Guy Hamilton - Burleigh Bears

The Bears halfback put in a Hastings Deering player of the match performance in the Round 3 feature game. Hamilton assisted in three tries, registered 71 run metres, one line break assists, 13 tackles, 426 kick metres and one 40/20. 

8. Bailey Butler - Central Queensland Capras

The Central Queensland prop, who trained with the Dolphins NRL side during pre-season, was phenomenal for his side. Butler, during his 49 minutes on the field, scored two tries, registered 197 run metres, including 100 post-contact, one line break, four tackle breaks and 12 tackles.

9. Tristan Hope - Brisbane Tigers

The Tigers hooker dug deep against the Hunters. Hope scored one try, assisted in two tries, kicked five from six conversions and made 39 tackles. Bears hooker Pat Politoni was also strong with one try, one line break, three tackle breaks and 35 tackles at 100 per cent tackle efficiency.

10. JJ Collins - Central Queensland Capras

Collins, during his 58 minutes on the field, registered 191 run metres, including 81 post-contact, one line break, two tackle breaks and made 26 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency. 

11. Kitron Laka - Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Laka, during his 57 minutes on the field, scored two tries, registered 163 run metres, including 56 post-contact, two line breaks, one line break assist, one try assist, four tackle breaks and 14 tackles. Central Queensland's Nixon Putt was also excellent with 173 run metres, including 91 post-contact, three tackle breaks and 19 tackles.

12. Luke Webley - Mackay Cutters

Cutters second rower Luke Webley was good for Cutters during his 68 minutes on the field; he scored one try, registered 183 run metres, including 71 post-contact, one line break, three tackle breaks and 22 tackles. Bears second rowers Hayden Schwass and Jacob Alick were also very good; Schwass with one try, one line break, three tackle breaks and 26 tackles, and Alick with one try, 154 run metres, one line break, two tackle breaks and 19 tackles.

13. Mitch Dunn - Townsville Blackhawks

The Blackhawks second rower was solid against Mackay Cutters. Dunn scored one try, registered 85 run metres and made a huge 44 tackles at 93.62 per cent tackle efficiency. Bears lock Sam Coster was strong with 119 run metres, two tackle breaks and 31 tackles with 96.88 per cent tackle efficiency. Hunters lock Ila Alu was also good during his 41 minutes on the field with one try, 141 run metres, including 38 post-contact, one line break, three tackle breaks and 17 tackles.

14. Jayden Stephens - Norths Devils

Stephens was excellent off the bench for the Devils against Tweed Seagulls. The second rower, during his 49 minutes on the field, registered 149 run metres, including 68 post-contact, assisted in one try, and registered one line break assists, one tackle break and made 12 tackles.

15. Toby Sexton - Tweed Seagulls

Tweed half Toby Sexton put in a stellar performance with one try, kicking four from five conversions, two penalty goals, 86 run metres, two tackle breaks, 16 tackles and 223 kick metres.

16. Brendan Piakura - Norths Devils

Piakura, who is signed with the Broncos, was very good in a losing side in Round 3. Piakura scored one try, made 75 run metres, one line break, four tackle breaks and 17 tackles with 100 per cent tackle efficiency. 

17. Jodeci Baker-Tiraha - Townsville Blackhawks

The Blackhawks fullback was excellent in his side's 28-22 win over Mackay Cutters. Baker-Tiraha scored two tries, assisted in one try, made one line break, seven tackle breaks and seven tackles at 100 per cent tackle efficiency.