Petero Civoniceva Medal update: Cup favourites start strong

Trai Fuller has picked up where he left off in 2023 while Sam Coster’s 'Mr Reliable' tag for Burleigh is proving true, with the two Hostplus Cup stalwarts leading the Petero Civoniceva Medal tally after Round 4.

Fuller - who was voted the player of the year last year, taking home the Petero Civoniceva Medal - has rocketed straight back into contention for this season, playing a starring role in Redcliffe’s 3-1 start.

Fresh off amassing 209 run metres during his Round 4 performance against the Ipswich Jets, the explosive fullback sits on six points in joint lead in the medal tally.

Alongside him is workhorse Coster, whose tireless efforts in attack and defence each week have not gone unnoticed.

Burleigh coach Luke Burt said it was no surprise the veteran lock was leading the charge early on given the amount of work Coster got through.

“He’s super reliable,” Burt said of Coster.

“You know what you’re going to get out of him every week. He’s also very diligent in his preparation and that shows week to week in his performances.

“He gets through a stack of work and he’s the glue to our middle field. It doesn’t surprise me one bit.

“This year, he’s been asked to play a couple of different roles. There’s times we’ve been able to give him rest but, at other times, he’s pushed through 80 minutes.

“For a middle forward in some of those games we’ve played, it is pretty phenomenal. He’s got the skill to be a ball-playing middle and link to edges, which is a real asset to us.”

Redcliffe coach Ben Te’o, meanwhile, predicted even bigger things to come from Fuller in 2024.

He said the 27-year-old, who is approaching 100 Cup games this year, is well known across the competition for what he could do, but the challenge was there to go even further.

“We expect energy from him,” Te’o said.

“That’s what he’s always brought to us. He’s been a performer for this club and team for a long time.

“I still think there’s another level to him. He’s had two years of fulltime training now and I think there’s another level for him to go to.”

Coming in joint second behind Fuller and Coster is Sunshine Coast captain Sam Burns and Northern Pride playmaker Thomas Duffy, both on five points.

The standings following Round 4 are below, with the top eight players listed.

Voting will go behind closed doors at the conclusion of Round 12.

Petero Civoniceva Medal standings after Round 4