Round 8 Team of the Week: Schoupp soars for Seagulls

Round 8 saw Tweed fly high against Western Clydesdales, Souths Logan Magpies claim the Mitch Cronin Memorial Cup and Sunshine Coast Falcons secure a tight win against Norths Devils to close out the round.

Tweed Seagulls put in a massive performance against Western Clydesdales, with second rower Aaron Schoupp - on debut for the side - digging deep to earn himself the Hostplus strong performer nod and skipper duties for the Round 8 Team of the Week.

Charlie Murray, during his 59 minutes on the field for Brisbane Tigers, put in a Hastings Deering player of the match performance against the Townville Blackhawks in the feature game - solid in attack and defence. 

Each round, Queensland Rugby League recognises the 17 best performers and names 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 8 Team of the Week

1. Lindon McGrady - Tweed Seagulls

The prince of Piggabeen put in a solid performance for the Seagulls in Round 8. McGrady scored two tries, assisted in another, kicked six from eight conversions, amassed 119 run metres, two line breaks, two line break assists and six tackle breaks. Townsville Blackhawks fullback Zac Laybutt was also on fire with 179 run metres, one line break assist, eight tackle breaks and 10 tackles; as was Mackay Cutters fullback Jake Riley with 198 run metres, one try assist and 11 tackle breaks.

2. Corey Thompson - Brisbane Tigers

Thompson put in a stellar performance against the Blackhawks in the Round 8 feature game. The Tigers winger scored one try, registered a massive 249 run metres, including 64 post-contact, made one line break and nine tackle breaks.

3. Treymain Spry - Tweed Seagulls

The talented Seagulls winger scored two tries, registered 109 run metres, two line breaks and five tackle breaks against the Western Clydesdales. PNG Hunters centre Brandon Nima was excellent against Ipswich Jets with two tries, 126 run metres, one line break and one tackle break.

4. Melino Fineanganofo - Western Clydesdales

The Clydesdales centre was superb in a losing side in Round 8. Fineanganofo, during his 65 minutes on the field, scored two tries, registered 129 run metres, four line breaks and a massive 10 tackle breaks.

5. Tony Francis - Burleigh Bears

The Bears winger was integral to his side serving Central Queensland Capras their first loss of the season. Francis scored two tries, registered 141 run metres, including 59 post-contact, two line breaks and a huge 10 tackle breaks. Capras winger Edrick Lee was also good with two tries, two line breaks and two tackle breaks.

6. Will Brimson - Tweed Seagulls

Brimson was in everything in his side’s big win over Western Clydesdales. The Tweed Seagulls five-eighth had a whopping 156 metres gained, two line breaks, two try assists, one line break assist and two tackle breaks in the 50-18 victory.

7. Jack Campagnolo - Souths Logan Magpies 

The Magpies halfback dug deep during his side's Mitch Cronin Memorial Cup win against Wynnum Manly Seagulls. Campagnolo scored one try, assisted in two tries, kicked five from six conversions, registered 142 run metres, one line break, two line break assists, six tackle breaks and 245 kick metres.

8. Jordan Grant - Brisbane Tigers

Grant continues to go from strength to strength, notching a season-high 186 metres gained, including 81 post-contact, to help the Tigers get the win over Townsville. Grant, who also completed 21 tackles without missing one, has not had less than 100 metres gained so far in 2023. This was his fourth game of over 150 metres gained for the season.

9. Charlie Murray - Brisbane Tigers (VC)

Murray, during his 59 minutes on the field, put in a Hastings Deering player of the0 match performance against the Blackhawks in attack and defence. Murray scored one try, assisted in two tries, registered 60 run metres, one line break, two line break assists, three tackle breaks and 35 tackles.

10. Jaymon Moore - Northern Pride

The Pride prop has been performing well during the past few rounds and was solid for his side against Mackay Cutters in Round 8. Moore, during his 51 minutes on the field, scored one try, made 152 run metres, including 55 post-contact, one line break, four tackle breaks and 19 tackles. Sunshine Coast Falcons' Tepai Moeroa was also excellent with 43 tackles.

11. Joe Chan - Brisbane Tigers

Chan had a breakout game for the Tigers with ball in hand. The Melbourne Storm-contracted second rower could not be contained with 163 metres gained, nine tackle breaks, one line break and crossed for one try to put the game to bed for the home side.

12. Aaron Schoupp - Tweed Seagulls (C)

Schoupp, on debut for the Seagulls, had a huge game. The second rower scored two tries, assisted in one try, registered 122 run metres, two line breaks, one line break assist, 12 tackle breaks and 19 tackles.

13. Lachlan Hubner - Central Queensland Capras

The Capras lock, a consistent performer for his side, was excellent with 204 run metres, one line break assist, one tackle break and a huge 44 tackles against the Bears in Round 8. His side suffered their first loss for the season, but as coach Lionel Harbin said, it has spurred them on moving forward. Souths Logan captain Rory Ferguson was also good with 182 run metres, two tackle breaks and 32 tackles in 59 minutes.

14. Tyson Smoothy - Wynnum Manly Seagulls

In a round where hookers were on fire, Smoothy didn't disappoint. The Wynnum Manly talent scored one try, made 91 run metres, one line break, three tackle breaks and 41 tackles, with 91.18 per cent tackle efficiency.

15. Jayden Stephens - Norths Devils

The young prop was named his side's "heavy mover of the match" following their tight loss to the Sunshine Coast. Stephens, during his 56 minutes on the field, made 153 run metres, including 61 post-contact, assisted in one try, made line break assist and 15 tackles, missing none.

16. Jordan Pereira - Souths Logan Magpies

The Souths Logan winger, who is contracted to the Brisbane Broncos, helped his side to their tough win against Wynnum Manly. Pereira scored two tries, made 166 run metres, two line breaks and five tackles breaks.

17. Tyran Wishart - Sunshine Coast Falcons

The Falcons hooker was superb for his side against Norths Devils. He scored one try, assisted in one try, kicked four from five conversions, made 70 run metres, one line break, one line break assist, two tackle breaks and 35 tackles. Norths' Liam Horne was also solid with one try, one line break, five tackle breaks and 19 tackles.