Round 14 Team of the Week: Jennings proves hard to handle in PNG

In a hotly-contested round of football, a number of players put their best foot forward to record massive performances.

Central Queensland Capras lock Kurt Donoghoe was one of the standouts of the weekend, putting in a huge all-round performance to earn Hastings Deering player of the match honours in his side's draw with the Northern Pride in the feature game.

And Donoghoe wasn't the only one who made an impact, with Riley Price, Tyson Smoothy, Brandon Finnegan and Bryce Donovan among some of the week's best.

But the Round 14 Team of the Week captaincy went to Souths Logan Magpies centre Jesse Jennings for a stunning performance against a physical PNG Hunters outfit.

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 14 Team of the Week

1. Trai Fuller – Redcliffe Dolphins

The Dolphins fullback helped his side dominate the first half against Norths, providing two try assists, one line break and one line break assist to go along with a massive nine tackle breaks and 119 metres gained. Honourable mentions go to Tweed’s Treymain Spry, who had three line break assists and two try assists in his first game in No.1 this season, Blackhawks custodian Brendan Elliot, and opposing fullbacks in the Pride versus Capras draw, Julian Christian and Blake Moore.

2. Ryland Jacobs – Tweed Seagulls

Jacobs' teammate on the other side of the field got the match-winner, but he was instrumental in getting Tweed rolling. The winger scored one try, had 140 running metres, one line break, one line break assist and one try assist in an important contribution to the Seagulls’ win.

3. Jesse Jennings – Souths Logan Magpies (C)

Jennings has been a consistent force all season for Souths Logan and was untouchable once again in Port Moresby, earning himself captaincy honours for Round 14. The Magpies centre not only scored two tries in his side's 40-10 victory but he amassed 210 run metres and had two line breaks and six tackle breaks to lead the competition leaders to the win.

4. Jojo Fifita – Tweed Seagulls

Tweed’s attacking players feasted on Saturday night and Fifita was the leader, bringing his NRL experience when it mattered. The Seagulls’ Gold Coast Titans-affiliated centre ran for 165 metres, had two line breaks, six tackle breaks and was a rock in defence, making 17 tackles. Other impressive centres included Townsville’s Jaelen Feeney, Mackay’s Josh Smith, Norths’ Connor Broadhurst and Wynnum Manly’s Delouise Hoeter.

5. Bob Tenza – Central Queensland Capras

The Capras winger showed off all of his skills to help his side snare a point in a gripping clash with Northern Pride on Sunday. Tenza’s try early in the second half will be on highlight reels for years to come and brought them within striking distance of the home side. He also had 152 metres gained, one line break, and six tackle breaks in an excellent performance. Other elite wingers from the weekend included Tesi Niu for Redcliffe Dolphins, Western Clydesdales' Mitch Watson, with a double, Wynnum Manly match-winner Gideon Gela-Mosby and Mackay’s Flynn Camilleri.

6. Josh Rogers – Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Rogers was instrumental in steering Wynnum Manly into strong attacking positions in Toowoomba to see his side over the line. The Brisbane Broncos-affiliated No.6 had 91 run metres, one line break, one line break assist, two tackle breaks, two offloads, a one-on-one steal, one try and seven goals for a personal haul of 18 points. Honourable mentions go to Redcliffe half Connor Williams, Ipswich’s Gerome Burns and PNG’s Joshua Mire.

7. Brandon Finnegan – Mackay Cutters

The Cutters playmaker was very unlucky to be on the losing side on Saturday night, as his team fell just short of their second win of the season. Finnegan did everything he could to find the two points at BB Print Stadium, scoring a double and setting up a third try. Dangerous with the ball in hand, the No.7 also ran for 86 metres, notched up three tackle busts plus one line break, one line break assist and one offload. Elsewhere in Round 14, Souths Logan halfback Jack Campagnolo continued his stunning 2023 form, setting up three tries for the Magpies against the Hunters and amassing 148 run metres with two line break assists.

8. Riley Price – Townsville Blackhawks

The North Queensland Cowboys affiliate made a huge impact for Townsville against Ipswich on Saturday. Not only did the star prop score a try but he also smashed through an incredible workload, including 225 run metres, 18 tackles, five tackle breaks and one line break in a 73-minute stint.

9. Tyson Smoothy – Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Always leading from the front, the Broncos-contracted gun was once again one of Wynnum Manly’s best in their victory over the Western Clydesdales on Saturday evening. Smoothy – fresh off a recent NRL appearance – made an impressive 43 tackles with zero misses and set up a try, ran for 61 metres and notched up one line break and one line break assist. Fellow Broncos affiliate player Blake Mozer was also influential in Papua New Guinea, making 35 tackles with one try assist, 50 run metres, one line break and one line break assist.

10. Benjamin Te Kura – Souths Logan Magpies

The Hunters are known for their tough and physical forward pack, but young Te Kura was ready for the challenge on Saturday in Port Moresby. The Brisbane Broncos affiliate stood up to the Hunters’ engine room, running for 179 metres with nine tackle busts, one line break, one line break assist and an offload. For all his efforts with the ball in hand, Te Kura also earned himself a four-pointer. It was a big round for props across the competition, with Wynnum Manly’s Corey Jensen, Ipswich’s Clayton Mack, Townsville’s Jaymon Moore and Central Queensland duo Bailey Butler and Valentine Richard all setting the standard for their teams over the weekend.

11. Takai Mokohar – Western Clydesdales

Former Capras player Mokohar has been one of the Clydesdales’ most consistent and reliable all season, and that was no different on Saturday against the Wynnum Manly. Mokohar was instrumental as his side tried to cause an upset, posting 172 run metres, two tackle busts and one line break. Mokohar also scored one try and set up another, and made 26 tackles.

12. Sam Elliott – Norths Devils

Another backrower in red-hot form, Elliott has been one of the Devils’ best all season. On Saturday night, he played a key part in keeping Norths in the game, scoring the first try of the match and then sparking their second half comeback with another four-pointer. Elliott also ran for 108 metres, made 19 tackles in a gritty, grinding clash, and had one line break. On the opposite side of the park, Jeremiah Simbiken was inspirational for Redcliffe once again while Tyler Coburn made a big impact in attack and defence for Souths Logan in Papua New Guinea.

13. Kurt Donoghoe – Central Queensland Capras (VC)

The Round 14 Hastings Deering player of the match, Donoghoe’s recent move to lock is paying dividends for the Capras. The Dolphins NRL affiliate was not only key in getting his side back into the game against Northern Pride – which resulted in a draw – but his defensive efforts ensured the Cairns-based team were unable to score in the second half. Donoghoe made 38 tackles and ran for 145 metres, also recording six tackle busts and one offload. Elsewhere, Max Plath was strong for Redcliffe through the middle, making 34 tackles, running for 143 metres and making four tackle busts in a 66-minute stint.

14. Bryce Donovan – Norths Devils

The Devils halfback’s boot won the game for his side against Redcliffe, landing a field goal in the 76th minute. Donovan also kicked three from four conversions, registered 117 run metres, one line break assist, one tackle break and 13 tackles to earn himself a spot on the bench in the Round 14 Team of the Week.

15. Jaron Purcell – Tweed Seagulls

The Seagulls lock, who is signed with the Titans, scored one try, registered 138 run metres, two tackle breaks and a huge 39 tackles with 95.12 per cent tackle efficiency to help his side claim the two points against Mackay Cutters.

16. Alec MacDonald – Brisbane Tigers

MacDonald, who wore No.16 but played centre, clocked the most run metres and made the most tackles for the Tigers in their clash against fellow Melbourne Storm affiliate Sunshine Coast Falcons. MacDonald ran for 214 metres, including 97 post-contact, and made 32 tackles; he also made three tackle breaks.

17. Chris Lewis – Sunshine Coast Falcons

Lewis, during his 51 minutes on the field, made a massive 42 tackles to help his side secure the win against Brisbane Tigers. Lewis also scored one try, made 135 run metres, including 57 post-contact, one line break and four tackle breaks.