Round 16 Team of the Week: Mozer leads Magpies back to top

But it was Souths Logan No.9 Blake Mozer who picked up captaincy honours for the Round 16 Hostplus Cup Team of the Week, putting in an influential all-round performance to see the Magpies leapfrog Burleigh into top spot on the competition ladder.

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 16 Team of the Week

1. Keano Kini – Burleigh Bears

One of the breakout stars of this year's competition, Kini has earned back-to-back Team of the Week appearances with another electric performance for the Bears. While his team fell short against the Sunshine Coast Falcons, the young Gold Coast Titans affiliate backed up last week's effort of 300-plus run metres with another 214 run metres at UAA Park. He also set up a try and recorded five tackle busts, one line break assist and one offload. Elsewhere, Redcliffe stalwart Trai Fuller was one of the main dangers for the Dolphins in their draw with Townsville, running for 163 metres, setting up a try and making two tackle busts.

2. Scott Galeano – Sunshine Coast Falcons

The Falcons have two upsets this year over competition heavyweights Burleigh and Galeano has starred on both occasions. In their Round 16 clash, Galeano - who did a preseason with Melbourne - nabbed a double, ran for a stunning 227 metres and had six tackle busts, proving hard to contain. 

3. Treymain Spry – Tweed Seagulls

Ever the entertainer, Spry was at his best against Norths Devils on Sunday. The speedster was dangerous with the ball in hand, scoring a try and setting up another while also amassing 179 run metres, five tackle breaks, one line break, one line break assist and one offload.

4. Jesse Arthars – Souths Logan Magpies

The Brisbane Broncos centre made his second Cup appearance of the year count on Sunday, starring for Souths Logan as they charged their way back to the top of the competition ladder. Arthars earned his third try in two games and set up another two against the Western Clydesdales. He also ran for 164 metres, had eight tackle breaks, three line breaks and one line break assist. Elsewhere, usual suspects in Brisbane's Solomona Faataape and PNG's Rodrick Tai continued to shine for their respective teams.

5. Flynn Camilleri – Mackay Cutters

A shining light in a tough season for the Cutters, Camilleri showed why he has a promising future with another strong performance against the Ipswich Jets. The winger crossed twice to help the Cutters to their second win of the season. He also amassed 200 run metres and had seven tackle busts and two line breaks. Elsewhere, try-scoring sensation Jon Reuben also earned a double for Norths while Brandon Nima and Ryland Jacobs starred for PNG and Tweed respectively.

6. Adam Cook – Mackay Cutters

The Mackay playmaker combined well with halfback Brandon Finnegan to help spearhead the Cutters to their second of the season. Cook set up two of his team's tries, ran for 87 metres, kicked for 165 metres and had one tackle bust and one line break assist. On the opposite side of the field, Gerome Burns continued his sizzling 2023 form with another huge performance.

7. Dray Ngatuere-Wroe – Ipswich Jets

Burns wasn't the only star for the Jets on Sunday, with Ngatuere-Wroe doing everything in his ability to spur his side to their first win of year. While they couldn't find the two points, Ngatuere-Wroe set up two tries, ran for 59 metres and posted two line breaks, two line break assists, two tackle busts and 16 tackles. His opposition number in Finnegan was also strong, in a game that provided plenty of entertainment in attack.

8. Ben Te Kura – Souths Logan Magpies

A day before he was named in the Queensland Under 19 team, Te Kura was a standout for Souths Logan in their victory over Western Clydesdales. The towering forward not only scored a try, but notched up 180 run metres through the middle and had four tackle breaks, two offloads, one line break and one line break assist, as well as 16 tackles.

9. Blake Mozer – Souths Logan Magpies (C)

In a week where the hookers really shone, young gun Mozer made quite the statement for the Magpies. The Brisbane Broncos affiliate - and Queensland Under 19 rake - scored a try and set up another two to help guide Souths Logan back to the top of the Hostplus Cup ladder. In a strong all-round performance, Mozer also ran for 55 metres - averaging 11 metres per run - and had three tackle breaks, two line break assists, one line break and 36 tackles with only one miss in a 63-minute effort. Elsewhere, recent NRL debutant Harrison Graham was strong for the Dolphins, also scoring a try and making 29 tackles.

10. Sam McIntyre – Townsville Blackhawks

Down a man from the opening minute and with two other players on limited minutes, the Blackhawks needed all the support they could get in their draw with Redcliffe and prop Sam McIntyre put his hand up strongly. The North Queensland Cowboys forward played 80 minutes in the middle and made 158 run metres, four tackle busts and 36 tackles for his efforts. Elsewhere, Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui was powerful for Burleigh, making a round-high 42 tackles.

11. Hnaloan Budden – Western Clydesdales

It was always going to be a tough ask for the Clydesdales coming up against the competition leaders in Souths Logan on Sunday, but Budden did his best to stand up against the heavyweights. The second rower scored a double, ran for 110 metres, had four tackle busts and two line breaks, and made a huge 36 tackles.

12. Jacob McCudden – Tweed Seagulls

McCudden continued his strong 2023 form with another impressive performance against Norths on Sunday. The backrower scored a try and made 32 tackles, while also recording 117 run metres, six tackle busts and one line break. Souths Logan's Tyler Coburn was also extremely influential for his side, making 39 tackles against the Clydesdales.

13. Alec MacDonald – Brisbane Tigers

In one of the strongest performances of BMD Indigenous Round, MacDonald was sensational against the Northern Pride on Saturday. The Melbourne Storm affiliate scored a double and set up another for the Tigers. He was constantly involved in attack, running for 115 metres, making nine tackle busts, two line breaks and one line break assist, as well as 24 tackles. Elsewhere, Hunters captain Ila Alu stood strong for his team as they continue their push for the top eight while Jaron Purcell made a big impact for Tweed.

14. Sean Mullany – Mackay Cutters (VC)

Locks were on fire in Round 16 and Mullany is unlucky to be relegated to the bench this week. The Hastings Deering player of the week from the BMD Indigenous Round feature game put in a captain's knock for the Cutters, setting up two tries and amassing 154 run metres. He also had five offloads, two tackle busts and two line break assists, as well as 28 tackles. 

15. Rory Ferguson – Souths Logan Magpies

Another big captain's knock in Round 16 came from Souths Logan skipper Rory Ferguson. Returning from injury, Ferguson let his presence be felt, scoring a try, running for a massive 197 metres and making 23 tackles in a 58-minute effort.

16. Judah Rimbu – PNG Hunters

The Hunters hooker played a large part in his side's fourth win from their last five games. Playing against the Capras in Port Moresby, Rimbu scored the opening try in the 14-8 victory and made a huge 38 tackles in a 53-minute performance. He also had two tackle breaks, one line break and 48 run metres.

17. Trey Brown – Central Queensland Capras

In an equally impressive performance on the other side of the field, Brown showed why he has been one of the competition's most consistent players all season. Brown also earned a four-pointer and made 34 tackles in 62 minutes. He also recorded four tackle busts, two line breaks and 93 run metres.