Grand finalist voted best Auswide Bank 'player to bank on' for 2023
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The voting for this year’s best Auswide Bank ‘player to bank on’ went right down to the wire in a battle set to be replicated in this weekend’s Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup grand final.
Townsville Blackhawks backrower Elijah-Shane Tapau has taken out the title of the best 2023 Auswide Bank ‘player to bank on’, after a destructive performance in Round 5 against the Central Queensland Capras.
Set to play in this Sunday’s premiership decider, Tapau didn’t emerge as the winner until the final minute, with just over one thousand votes logged on the final day to help him pip fellow top contender – and this week’s opposition forward – Redcliffe Dolphins captain, Michael Waqa.
The two were engaged in a heated back-and-forth battle in the voting since it opened on April 12, with Waqa in the lead on Monday.
Tapau ended up taking the win with 38 per cent of the vote while Waqa came in second with 33 per cent of the vote.
Electric Ipswich Jets winger Alton Naiyep came in third with 11 per cent of the vote.
In total, 14,638 votes were placed this year in a highly competitive field.
The Auswide Bank ‘player to bank on’ was a weekly video to celebrate and recognise the talent within the competition, with one player highlighted in each round of the regular season.
The weekly winners all received a $100 gift voucher courtesy of Auswide Bank and then the public voted on the overall winner for 2023, with Tapau set to receive an additional $250 gift voucher also courtesy of Auswide Bank.
Player to bank on: Elijah-Shane Tapau
Tapau was initially the Round 5 winner, after the blockbusting forward put on an attacking masterclass, 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.
He has been named for this Sunday’s Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup grand final clash against the Redcliffe Dolphins, which will be played at Totally Workwear Stadium from 1pm.
The grand final will also be live and free on Qplus.tv and Kayo Freebies.
The official Auswide Bank player of the year will be announced at the end-of-season QRL awards.
