Vote for the 2023 Auswide Bank 'player to bank on'

The 2023 season of the Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup has been yet another blockbuster, with plenty of talent on show week in, week out.

With some of the best Under 18 talent from across the state taking part, one player was highlighted as the Auswide Bank 'player to bank on' after each round of the regular season.

Now, as attention turns towards this year's finals series, it is your turn to decide who you think deserves the title of the best 'player to bank on' from the entire season.

Voting closes on Tuesday, April 18 at 5pm, with the winner to be announced the following day on Wednesday, April 19.

The nominees - based off the weekly winners - are below.

Auswide Bank 'player to bank on'

Round 1: Michael Waqa (Redcliffe Dolphins)

The Redcliffe Dolphins captain started season 2023 with a bang, scoring a try in the opening four minutes of his side's massive 56-14 victory over the reigning premiers, Souths Logan Magpies. Waqa amassed 174 run metres in that match and has continued his damaging form in attack across the season, averaging around 130m a game. The prop has been instrumental in his team's campaign, with Redcliffe qualifying for this year's semi-finals.

Round 2: Alton Naiyep (Ipswich Jets)

Round 2 was Ipswich's first game of the season and Naiyep was ready to make his presence known. The try-scoring talent notched up a hat-trick against the Sunshine Coast and made 185 run metres, 93 of which were post-contact. The winger also made a jaw-dropping 17 tackle breaks. Naiyep has been hard to stop all season, scoring 12 four-pointers across five appearances, including four tries against the Western Clydesdales in Round 3. He finished the regular season as the competition's leading try scorer.

Round 3: Xavier Kerrisk (Mackay Cutters)

Kerrisk has been a consistent and reliable player for the Cutters all season long. In Round 3 he was an absolute standout in Mackay's 36-24 win over Central Queensland Capras. Not only did he score a hat-trick, but he put in a huge all-round performance. Hooker Kerrisk made 65 run metres out of dummy-half, seven tackle breaks and 25 tackles. Kerrisk finished the season among the competition's leading try scorers, sitting in equal third with seven tries to his name.

Round 4: Coby Black (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)

With Wynnum Manly in finals contention for 2023, halfback Coby Black has been strong in guiding his team around the park. In Round 4 the young gun led from the front in a dominant performance against Tweed. He scored one try, set up another, had two line breaks, one line break assist and five tackle busts. He ran for 95 metres and kicked for 188 metres. He has shown a cool and calm head all season and has finished the regular season as the competition's leading points scorer, with 64 points under his belt from four tries and 24 goals.

Round 5: Elijah-Shane Tapau (Townsville Blackhawks)

Townsville second rower Elijah-Shane Tapau was destructive in a relentless Round 5 performance against the Central Queensland Capras. The blockbusting forward was particularly impressive in attack, scoring three tries and making 127 run metres. He also had seven tackle breaks and three line breaks, proving hard to contain, and missed zero tackles.

Round 6: Jason Hallie (Northern Pride)

Damaging Pride prop Jason Hallie packed a real punch in his Round 6 outing against the Capras, in one of the most astonishing solo efforts of the entire season. With his giant frame, Hallie notched up four tries and ran for an astounding 299 metres off 22 hit ups - averaging over 13 metres per run. He made 15 tackle breaks, four line breaks and 12 tackles in a 49-minute stint.

Round 7: Israel Leota (Souths Logan Magpies)

Queensland Under 19 squad member Israel Leota proved why he is one of the strongest young talents in the game with a massive season-ending performance against Norths. The Souths Logan centre completed his 2023 Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup campaign with a Round 7 performance that consisted of four tries, 272 run metres off 12 hit ups, eight tackle busts and two line breaks.

Vote for the best Auswide Bank 'Player to bank on'