Round 19 Team of the Week: Burleigh's Mr Reliable aims up in defence
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Hostplus Cup returned in Round 19 with a bang, as teams launched into the final four weeks of the regular season.
Following a one week break, Round 19 - Harvey Norman Women in League Round - saw players across the competition step up to represent their loved ones with pride.
There were number of huge performances in both attack and defence, with Brisbane Tigers young gun Cole Geyer picking up the Hastings Deering player of the match in the feature game for his impact off the bench on Sunday.
But it was the tireless defensive efforts of Burleigh Bears lock Sam Coster against Northern Pride that saw him earn captaincy honours this week.
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 19 Team of the Week
1. Corey Thompson – Brisbane Tigers
It took a comeback effort for the Tigers to defeat the PNG Hunters on Sunday and that was inspired, in part, by Thompson. The veteran No.1 not only scored the final try of the game to stop any last-minute comeback from the Hunters, but he set up another three four-pointers to get his team a much-needed two points. He also recorded five tackle busts, three line break assists and one line break. Elsewhere, Norths Devils skipper Jack Ahearn continued to have a major impact for his team in their win over Ipswich Jets while young gun Keano Kini starred for Burleigh against Northern Pride.
2. Max Lehmann – Brisbane Tigers
The Tigers' left edge was lethal on Sunday and Lehmann finished their efforts on two occasions. The 23-year-old scored his two four-pointers midway through the second half, helping the Tigers to shoot 12 points ahead of their opponents (and he gets added bonus points for his celebrations). Lehmann also amassed 252 run metres with a stunning eight tackle breaks and five line breaks, plus two offloads.
3. Rashaun Denny – Northern Pride
The Pride gun was outstanding on Saturday in his side's much-needed draw with the Bears. He crossed twice for the Cairns-based team - one of which was a sensational intercept effort - and totalled 220 run metres with three tackle breaks. Denny opened the try-scoring in both halves and the Pride now sit in eighth as they ramp up their push for this year's finals series.
4. Zac Laybutt – Townsville Blackhawks
Townsville's backline were the game-changers in Saturday's 46-6 victory over the Mackay Cutters. Laybutt's part in this included two tries and two try assists, as well as 92 run metres, four tackle breaks, three line break assists, one line break and one offload. His fellow centre, Gehamat Shibasaki, was also strong with a jaw-dropping 285 run metres, 13 tackle breaks and 13 tackles with zero misses.
5. Jodeci Baker-Tiraha – Townsville Blackhawks
Outside of Laybutt, Baker-Tiraha starred for the Blackhawks. He earned himself a hat-trick and ran for 179 metres with nine tackle busts and two line breaks. Elsewhere, Tony Tumusa, Tony Francis, Josh Simm and Manase Kaho all earned doubles for their respective teams.
6. Luke Polselli – Sunshine Coast Falcons
Mr Versatile, Polselli has played across a number of positions for Sunshine Coast this year and on Saturday against Wynnum Manly, he starred in the No.6 jersey. Not only did the speedster run in a hat-trick, but he recorded 180 run metres with three tackle breaks, two line breaks and one offload. While it wasn't enough to get the two points, he combined well with Melbourne Storm affiliate Jayden Nikorima, with the pair doing all they could to try to get Sunshine Coast the win. Elsewhere, Evan Child was strong for the Northern Pride while Ben Hampton set up three tries for the Townsville Blackhawks in their victory over Mackay.
7. Jock Madden – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Madden has been thriving since arriving at Wynnum Manly and his performance against Sunshine Coast was no different. The Brisbane Broncos affiliate set up three tries for his team in their close win and also recorded 113 run metres, two line break assists and 308 kicking metres. Elsewhere, Burleigh general Guy Hamilton was as consistent as ever with two try assists, two line break assists and two tackle busts.
8. Caius Faatili – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Bringing a huge impact off the bench, Faatili was massive for the Seagulls on Saturday. Smashing through the middle of the field, he amassed 221 run metres in just 37 minutes, as well as five tackle busts and nine tackles with zero misses.
9. Pat Politoni – Burleigh Bears
It was a tough battle against the Northern Pride on Saturday and Politoni certainly aimed up through the middle. In his 73 minutes on the field, Politoni made an impressive 41 tackles with just one miss and ran for 59 metres with one offload. Brisbane's Tristan Hope also continued his strong season, making 40 tackles in the middle against the Hunters, earning a split lip for his efforts.
10. Bailey Butler – Central Queensland Capras
In red-hot form this season, Butler returned from suspension to pack a punch for the Capras in their win over the Western Clydesdales on Saturday. In his 46 minutes on the field, Butler set up one try, ran for 134 metres, had seven tackle busts, two offloads and one line break, with 25 tackles on top of his attacking efforts. Elsewhere, Epel Kapinias was key for PNG, George Fai continued to go from strength to strength with Norths, Cade Maloney was strong for Townsville and Butler's front row partner in JJ Collins also impressed.
11. Nixon Putt – Central Queensland Capras
The PNG international was a standout for the Capras on Saturday, in a strong all-round performance. Putt made 34 tackles and 167 run metres, with six tackle busts and four offloads.
12. Leivaha Pulu – Brisbane Tigers
The veteran second rower contributed to his team's much-needed comeback over the Hunters with a strong performance on the edge. In 70 minutes, Pulu made 20 tackles with 145 run metres and one tackle break.
13. Sam Coster – Burleigh Bears (C)
The ever reliable Coster put in a mammoth defensive effort against Northern Pride on Saturday night. The draw illustrates how close this battle was and Coster's performance was key to keeping Burleigh in the game and earned him the captaincy nod this week. The lock made a jaw-dropping 58 tackles - with just one miss - and ran for 135 metres with four offloads. For Western Clydesdales, their lock in Takai Mokohar put in a very similar effort in a losing side, with 53 tackles, 122 run metres and two tackle busts. Ila Alu was also strong for PNG while Sam Burns stood up for Sunshine Coast.
14. Cole Geyer – Brisbane Tigers (VC)
The Round 19 Hastings Deering player of the match brought real power and energy from the bench to help kickstart the Tigers' comeback over the Hunters. Not only did Melbourne Storm affiliate Geyer score one try, but in 42 minutes he also ran for 90 metres, had five tackle breaks and two line breaks, with 11 tackles.
15. Robert Derby – Townsville Blackhawks
It was hard to put Derby on the bench, but the wingers of the competition were on fire in Round 19. Continuing the trend of the Blackhawks' backline efforts, Derby was outstanding against the Cutters with an incredible 304 run metres. He also scored one try, set up another, made eight tackle busts and one line break with one offload.
16. Solomona Faataape – Brisbane Tigers
It's never a big Tigers win without a huge effort from Faataape. The star centre scored a try against the Hunters and set up another, amassed 222 run metres and recorded three tackle breaks, three offloads, three line break assists and one line break.
17. Blake Moore – Central Queensland Capras
Following up his Activate! Queensland Country Week efforts, Capras fullback Moore had another big performance against the Clydesdales on Saturday. Instrumental in attack, he scored one try and set up another two, ran for 146 metres and had four tackle breaks, two line break assists and one line break. He also made 10 tackles and had zero misses.
