Finals Week 3 Team of the Week: Kini's kickstart guides Burleigh to grand final

Week three of the Hostplus Cup finals saw the competition's engine rooms rev up, as the Burleigh Bears and Brisbane Tigers advanced to the 2023 premiership decider.

It was a huge weekend for forwards, as Burleigh's big men set the standard against Wynnum Manly on Saturday before the Tigers and Central Queensland Capras packs engaged in a stunning battle at Totally Workwear Stadium on Sunday.

Hooker Pat Politoni earned the Hastings Deering player of the week honours for his team in the first preliminary final, before Tigers centre Kane Bradley was handed the same title in Sunday's clash.

Some of the other standouts of the round included Bears trio Matt Koellner, Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui and Dylan Kelly, while Jordan Grant and Tristan Powell starred for the Tigers.

But this week's Team of the Week captaincy goes to Keano Kini, after the young fullback kickstarted Burleigh's massive victory over Wynnum Manly, stunning with his speed and footwork.

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.

Finals Week 3 Team of the Week

1. Keano Kini – Burleigh Bears (C)

The Gold Coast Titans fullback was absolutely electric on Saturday in Burleigh's dominant preliminary final victory over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, getting them off to their flying start with back-to-back tries. With plenty of fancy footwork on show, Kini crossed in the 17th minute and again in the 23rd minute - and played a crucial part in Josh Patston's 43rd minute try. The young gun also amassed 218 run metres with a blistering nine tackle busts and three line breaks. And he did all that in just 49 minutes.

2. Ken Maumalo – Burleigh Bears

Having not played since Round 20 due to injury, Maumalo came back to Burleigh with a vengeance on Saturday. The NRL-contracted winger scored one try in the dying seconds of the first half to give the Bears a 20-0 lead heading into the break. He was extremely dangerous with the ball in hand, tearing through 189 run metres and eight tackle breaks, and also recorded one line break and one offload.

3. Solomona Faataape – Brisbane Tigers

Another game, another Team of the Week appearance for the in-form centre. Faataape is leaving nothing in the tank in this year's finals series and was strong once again on Sunday as the Tigers qualified for the premiership decider over the Central Queensland Capras. The 22-year-old scored one much-needed try in the close clash and also ran for a massive 243 metres with seven tackle breaks, two offloads and one line break.

4. Kane Bradley – Brisbane Tigers

The entire Tigers backline stunned on Sunday, with Melbourne Storm affiliate Bradley picking up the Hastings Deering player of the match for his game-changing efforts. Bradley not only flew high to set up one try, but he also scored the four-pointer that sealed the deal for the Tigers and broke the intensity of the clash with just nine minutes left on the clock. Bradley also ran for 194 metres and had six tackle busts, three offloads, one line break and 13 tackles with zero misses for 100 per cent tackle efficiency.

5. George Jennings – Brisbane Tigers

Jennings was another standout for the Tigers. He added the finishing touches to Bradley's assist to open the scoring for the home team on Sunday at Totally Workwear Stadium. He was unstoppable, running for a week-high 249 metres and recording a stunning 11 tackle breaks, one line break and one offload. On the opposite side of the park, Tom Farr did his best for the Capras.

6. Tyrone Roberts – Burleigh Bears

In a finals game won by 49 points, it's hardly surprising the Burleigh halves were hugely influential on Saturday. Veteran playmaker Roberts showed why he has qualified for his third grand final in three years, setting up two tries for his team. He also notched up 71 run metres, one line break assist, one offload and had nine kicks for 213 metres. 

7. Guy Hamilton – Burleigh Bears

The "little general" was at his absolute best on Saturday at UAA Park. In red-hot form, Hamilton set up three tries - including one assist that will go down as one of the best four-pointers from season 2023, with a no-look behind-the-back flick pass to Patston. He also recorded three line break assists, one tackle bust, one offload, 115 run metres and 18 tackles. On the opposite side of the field, Jock Madden put in a solid effort for Wynnum Manly, setting up both of the Seagulls' tries.

8. Jordan Grant - Brisbane Tigers

The Melbourne Storm affiliate was certainly made to work through the middle in the grinding battle with the Central Queensland Capras on Sunday. And his efforts were key to his side's victory, with the forward heavily involved as he amassed 150 run metres and made six tackle breaks and one line break in 43 minutes on the field. He was also huge in defence, making 28 tackles with zero misses.

9. Pat Politoni – Burleigh Bears

In a team that put on an absolute attacking masterclass on Saturday, it's easy to overlook their incredible defensive efforts as well, as they kept Wynnum Manly to just eight points. This was led by hooker Pat Politoni who made a huge 40 tackles with just one miss in 71 minutes on the field. The veteran No.9 also played his part in attack, setting up one try and earning one line break assist. These efforts saw him pick up a well-deserved Hastings Deering player of the match in a game that had many contenders. Elsewhere, Trey Brown finished season 2023 strongly with the Capras, making 45 tackles with just one miss.

10.   Matt Koellner – Burleigh Bears

At his barnstorming best, Koellner packed a real punch coming off the bench for Burleigh on Saturday. He starred for Burleigh last time they met Wynnum Manly - earning Round 20 Team of the Week captaincy honours - and it was no different in their preliminary finals showdown. Feeding off his side's momentum, Koellner crossed twice - first in the 29th minute and again exactly 20 minutes later - and was a constant threat. He also ran for 163 metres and had eight tackle breaks, three offloads, two line breaks and 24 tackles in a strong all-round performance. Elsewhere, Tigers prop Tristan Powell was sensational against the Capras. In a difficult omission from Team of the Week, Powell ran for 167 metres and had four tackle breaks, one line break and 24 tackles in 53 minutes.

11. Nixon Putt – Central Queensland Capras

The PNG international poured everything he had into Sunday's preliminary final. The backrower ran for 131 metres, had five tackle breaks, four offloads and a big 37 tackles for his team. While it wasn't enough to get the win, it was an impressive showing.

12. Josh Patston – Burleigh Bears

In fine form ever since he joined the club, Patston was strong for Burleigh in their big Saturday win. The second rower scored two tries off the back of incredible attack from the Bears and also made 96 run metres with four tackle breaks, one line break and 27 tackles.

13. Sam Coster – Burleigh Bears

It wouldn't be a Burleigh win without a mammoth all-round effort from Coster. Mr Reliable delivered for his team with 155 run metres, one try assist, one line break assist, an offload and 31 tackles with zero misses for 100 per cent tackle efficiency. This was a 53-minute effort from Coster, with the Burleigh star awarded a well-deserved rest. Charlie Murray was also greatly influential for the Tigers on Sunday, making 159 run metres and 31 tackles while Lachlan Hubner stood up for the Capras with a round-high 47 tackles.

14. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui – Burleigh Bears

With so many tries scored on Saturday, it was players like Fa'asuamaleaui who lay the platform for the home team at UAA Park. The Gold Coast Titans affiliated forward amassed a jaw-dropping 202 run metres through the middle and had four tackle breaks and 17 tackles with no misses in 48 minutes on the field.

15. Dylan Kelly – Burleigh Bears

What a farewell to his home base. This season is the Burleigh forward's last and he said goodbye to UAA Park in style with a surprise field goal and a nicely-executed conversion on Saturday. Kelly - coming off the bench - also ran for 172 metres and had two offloads and 19 tackles with zero misses for 100 per cent efficiency.