Finals Week 1 Team of the Week: Wishart guides Sunshine Coast to victory
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Week one of the finals delivered on many fronts, with upset wins and golden point thrillers setting the tone for the rest of the series.
The opening week saw Burleigh Bears and Brisbane Tigers advance straight to week three with wins over Central Queensland Capras and Souths Logan Magpies respectively, while Sunshine Coast Falcons and Wynnum Manly Seagulls triumphed in their respective elimination finals.
The Redcliffe Dolphins and Northern Pride both fought bravely as they fell out of the running for this year's premierships, while the Capras and Magpies have both earned a second chance.
There were big performances across the weekend as players did what they could to boost their team's grand final chances.
Tristan Hope stepped up in a big way for the Tigers in their win over the Magpies, earning the Hastings Deering player of the match.
Locks Sam Coster and Rory Ferguson were also inspirational for the Bears and Magpies respectively, while Xavier Willison and Josh Rogers starred for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Top five super plays: Finals Week 1
Meanwhile, Tyran Wishart starred for the Sunshine Coast Falcons, with a particularly strong attacking effort that has seen him earn Hostplus Cup Team of the Week captaincy honours.
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.
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Finals Week 1 Team of the Week
1. Tristan Sailor – Souths Logan Magpies
Souths Logan didn't get the result they were looking for in the opening week of finals, but fullback Tristan Sailor certainly did all he could to earn a win over the Brisbane Tigers. Continuing his sensational 2023 form, Sailor set up three tries in his side's 34-26 loss and amassed 179 run metres. He also recorded four offloads, four line break assists and three tackle breaks. Elsewhere, Matthew Milson was strong out the back for Wynnum Manly in their one-point victory over the Pride while Sualauvi Faalogo starred for Sunshine Coast.
2. Tony Francis – Burleigh Bears
Burleigh's backline ran riot against the Central Queensland Capras on Saturday and Francis was certainly no exception. The Gold Coast Titans affiliate scored the final try of the match in the 72nd minute and also ran for 184 metres with five tackle busts, two line breaks and one offload.
3. Will Partridge – Northern Pride
The Pride lost their elimination final to the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in heartbreaking circumstances, sunk by a Josh Rogers field goal in the second half of extra time. But there was plenty for the Cairns-based team to be proud of, led by some inspirational performances, including Partridge's. The centre opened the scoring on Sunday, barging over in the corner. He also smashed his way through 203 run metres and had two tackle busts, one line break, one offload and 15 tackles.
4. Solomona Faataape – Brisbane Tigers
Another week, another strong performance by Tigers centre Faataape. Always a game changer, his influence on Saturday helped his side advance to week three of the finals. Faataape not only crossed for a four-pointer but also ran for 164 metres and had three tackle breaks and two line breaks. Elsewhere, Kea Pere was solid for Burleigh while Delouise Hoeter was massive for Wynnum Manly, amassing 232 run metres.
5. Jack Smith – Souths Logan Magpies
A try-scoring machine this year, Smith continued his run against the Brisbane Tigers on Saturday. On two occasions, Smith combined beautifully with fullback Tristan Sailor to cross for the Magpies on home turf. The young gun was a constant threat in attack with four tackle busts and three line breaks. Elsewhere, Dante Lusio was dangerous for Burleigh while Max Lehmann sealed the deal for the Tigers with a stunning intercept try in the dying seconds of the game.
6. Ryley Jacks – Brisbane Tigers
A number of five-eighths starred across Finals Week 1, but Jacks gets the starting pick for steering his side to an all-important win over heavyweights, Souths Logan. Veteran playmaker Jacks set up three tries in the Tigers' victory and recorded one line break assist, one tackle break, 24 tackles and 12 kicks for 296 kick metres. Elsewhere, Tyrone Roberts was heavily instrumental for Burleigh while Josh Rogers proved to be the match winner for Wynnum Manly, kicking the field goal in extra time.
7. Guy Hamilton – Burleigh Bears
Both halves stepped up to the plate for the Bears on Saturday, with Hamilton influential in his team's commanding win over the Capras. The Burleigh general set up two tries, recorded 121 run metres, five tackle breaks, three line break assists and 19 tackles.
8. Xavier Willison – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Wynnum Manly kept their finals campaign alive on Sunday with a thrilling golden point victory over the Northern Pride. While the game was won through a field goal, Willison was one who set the platform, with a massive effort through the middle. The Brisbane Broncos affiliated forward stunned with a massive 285 run metres. He also scored a try, had four tackle busts, one offload and 23 tackles in a jaw-dropping effort for the Seagulls.
9. Tyran Wishart – Sunshine Coast Falcons (C)
The Melbourne Storm affiliated hooker was the real difference for the Falcons on Sunday. In a high-scoring win over the Redcliffe Dolphins, Wishart put on an attacking masterclass to shine for the away team and get the much-needed win in the elimination final. Not only did the No.9 score two tries, but he set up another two, ran for a huge 181 metres and registered three tackle breaks, three line break assists, two line breaks and 26 tackles to take out captaincy honours for Team of the Week. On the opposite side of the park, Sheldon Pitama was inspirational for Redcliffe while elsewhere Blake Mozer was strong for Souths Logan and Pat Politoni was again one of the best defenders on the field for Burleigh.
Finals Week 1 highlights: Dolphins v Falcons
10. Kenneth Fonoti – Northern Pride
Coming off the bench for the Northern Pride on Sunday, forward Fonoti made a massive impact. Not only did he score a try to keep his side in the battle, but he really challenged Wynnum Manly's defence, amassing 195 run metres and making seven tackle busts. He also recorded a line break and one line break assist and made 20 tackles in the middle. His teammate Jaymon Moore also put in a huge effort, with 168 run metres, while Tariq Sims starred for the Tigers.
Finals Week 1 highlights: Wynnum Manly v Pride
11. Josh Patston – Burleigh Bears
In back-to-back Team of the Week appearances, Patston continued his strong form with an impressive outing for the Bears on Saturday. The backrower scored a try and set up another, ran for 136 metres, had four tackle breaks, one line break, one offload and 14 tackles with zero misses.
12. Leivaha Pulu - Brisbane Tigers
Always a key part of the Tigers line-up, Pulu was influential again on Saturday. The veteran second rower scored a try, ran for 106 metres, made 29 tackles and recorded two offloads, one tackle break and one line break. On the opposite side of the park, Tyler Coburn was strong for Souths Logan while the Pride's Justin Frain made a huge 40 tackles and Wynnum Manly's Darius Farmer made his presence known with the ball in hand.
13. Rory Ferguson – Souths Logan Magpies
One week after making 203 run metres and 38 tackles with zero misses, Ferguson somehow managed to go to another level for the Magpies. The captain knows exactly how to lead from the front. Against the Tigers on Saturday, Ferguson scored a try, amassed a mind-blowing 249 run metres and made 38 tackles with just two misses. He also recorded five tackle breaks and two line breaks in an effort to remember.
14. Tristan Hope – Brisbane Tigers (VC)
Hope played the role of Mr Fix-It for the Tigers on Saturday, stepping up to the plate when playmaker Jonah Pezet got injured. The hooker moved into the halves and scored a try, made 18 tackles and recorded one tackle bust with 43 run metres. His efforts earned him the Hastings Deering player of the match for Finals Week 1.
15. Sam Coster – Burleigh Bears
Only benched due to the stunning efforts of fellow lock Rory Ferguson, Coster was absolutely massive for the Bears on Saturday. Ever reliable, Coster put in a huge all-round performance with 193 run metres, 39 tackles - with just one miss - and four offloads.
16. Max Plath – Redcliffe Dolphins
It took Redcliffe a while to get firing against the Sunshine Coast on Sunday but once they did, they were strongly led by their spine. Plath was a key part of this with two tries, 105 run metres, seven tackle busts, one line break, one line break assist, one offload and 18 tackles.
17. Trai Fuller - Redcliffe Dolphins
Alongside Plath, Pitama and halfback Cameron Cullen, Redcliffe's Trai Fuller was strong for the Dolphins on Sunday. Always a noticeable standout, Fuller helped Redcliffe back into the game with a try and a try assist, as well as 179 run metres, a huge 12 tackle busts and two line breaks.
