Round 5 Team of the Week: Hunter flies high with Falcons
- Author
- Timestamp
Round 5 of the Hostplus Cup belonged to the playmakers and game changers.
The tries were laid on heavy over the weekend, with the closest game being Redcliffe's eight-point victory over Northern Pride.
There were a number of high-scoring affairs, including Wynnum Manly's 40-30 victory over Townsville, while the Sunshine Coast, Norths and Mackay all had 30-plus winning margins.
Players ran riot, with playmakers Kurt Falls, Gerome Burns, Guy Hamilton, Tanah Boyd and Riley Dean all starring for their respective sides, with Redcliffe fullback Trai Fuller and Norths centre Jordan Lipp also destructive.
But it was Sunshine Coast halfback Cody Hunter who picked up captaincy honours this week for playing a major role in his team's victory over the Souths Logan Magpies.
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 5 Team of the Week
1. Trai Fuller - Redcliffe Dolphins
Electric Redcliffe No.1 Fuller was on fire against Pride, helping to secure the two points for his side. In a standard attacking masterclass, the Dolphins NRL affiliate scored one try, amassed a stunning 235 run metres and recorded one line break, two offloads, seven tackles and a jaw-dropping 14 tackle busts. He continues to set the bar high. In other strong performances from fullbacks across the weekend, Oliver Tuimavave (Burleigh Bears), Raydan Burns (Mackay Cutters), Grant Anderson (Sunshine Coast Falcons), McKenzie Baker (Townsville Blackhawks) and Seamus King-Smith (Northern Pride) were all influential.
Round 5 clash of the week: Dolphins v Pride
2. Nat McGavin - Northern Pride
While it was not enough to get his side the win in Round 5, McGavin's efforts to get across the line twice against the Redcliffe Dolphins earned him a place in this week's Team of the Week. A new recruit this year in Cairns, McGavin danced along the sideline to lock in both his four-pointers and also registered two line breaks, three tackle breaks and 91 run metres.
3. Jordan Lipp - Norths Devils
Starring in the centres for the Devils on Saturday, the versatile Lipp bagged a hat-trick to guarantee a commanding 38-8 win over Central Queensland Capras. He also smashed through 175 run metres and had one line break, one tackle break and one offload in a victory that saw the Devils shoot up the Cup ladder from seventh to fourth.
4. Mahe Fonua - Mackay Cutters
The veteran has settled in well with Mackay and brought his rampaging best to Sunday's clash with Western Clydesdales. The former NRL outside back earned himself a double in Toowoomba and topped it off with eight tackle busts, two line breaks, two offloads and 12 tackles. Other centres who starred across the weekend include Wynnum Manly duo Sefa Roache-Faimalo and Connor Broadhurst, Burleigh captain Sami Sauiluma, Ipswich's Aaron Schoupp and South Logan's Ethan Quai-Ward.
5. Josh Smith - Mackay Cutters
Following on from his strong form in 2023, Smith was a standout on Sunday. The winger amassed 214 run metres, bagged two tries and recorded five tackle breaks and two line breaks. Smith's fellow Mackay winger Augustus Rangihuna also starred while Burleigh duo Troy Leo and Josiah Karapani were strong.
6. Kurt Falls - Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The former Penrith Panthers playmaker gave his side the advantage over Townsville Blackhawks on Saturday, with a 40-30 victory. He was a busy man up north, scoring two tries and setting up another two. Falls also ran 102 metres, made 21 tackles and recorded one line break, one line break assist and one tackle bust. Elsewhere, Riley Dean was strong for the Cutters.
7. Cody Hunter - Sunshine Coast Falcons (C)
With a hand in five tries for the Falcons on Saturday, Hunter earns this week's captaincy honours. In a week with a number of highly impressive contenders, Hunter's stunning all-round efforts against Souths Logan Magpies helped his side get a massive 48-12 victory on home turf. New in the Sunshine Coast colours this year, the former Redcliffe playmaker scored two tries and set up another three. Hunter also had five tackle busts, two line breaks, one line break assist, 114 run metres and 13 tackles. Guy Hamilton was also instrumental for the Bears in their victory over Ipswich Jets.
8. Lazarus Vaalepu - Sunshine Coast Falcons
Coming off the bench against the Magpies, Vaalepu, aimed high on Saturday. The Melbourne Storm affiliate certainly let his impact be known, smashing through a massive 210 run metres. He also scored one try and notched up three tackle breaks, one line break and 18 tackles in the space of 51 minutes.
9. Kierran Moseley - Norths Devils
Combining nicely with the Devils' new-look spine, the veteran hooker starred on Saturday night at Bishop Park. Moseley was heavily involved in attack - in 57 minutes he recorded one try assist, one line break, one line break assist, and two tackle breaks, as well as 25 tackles against the Capras. Other hookers worth a mention include Wynnum Manly's Cory Paix with a stunning 40 tackles.
10. Nick Brown - Townsville Blackhawks
The front rower did all he could to try to get his side the two points against Wynnum Manly. While they didn't come away with the win, Brown had a 52-minute performance to be proud of. He amassed 187 run metres through the middle - 155 post-contact metres - and made 31 tackles, as well as one offload; he had the highest run metres and tackles for the Blackhawks this week. Brown also earned one try for his efforts. Other impressive props included Martin Taupau in his Burleigh debut, D'Jazirhae Pua'avase for Mackay and Redcliffe captain Max Bailey.
11. Josh Patston - Burleigh Bears
In a solid 28-18 win over Ipswich Jets, second rower Patston helped make all the difference with two tries. A handful in attack, Patston ran for 137 metres, had four tackle breaks, one line break, one line break assist and one offload, as well as 21 tackles.
12. Jack Howarth - Sunshine Coast Falcons
Back with a bang after earning an NRL call up for the Melbourne Storm against the Brisbane Broncos, Howarth let his presence be known against the Magpies on Saturday. He smashed through a mountain of work, including one try assist, 187 run metres, a stunning 11 tackle breaks, three offloads, one line break assist and 19 tackles with no misses.
13. Sam Coster - Burleigh Bears
Old reliable delivered a very Coster-like performance in Round 5, starring in both attack and defence against the Jets. Coster worked through 163 run metres and made three offloads in attack, but it was in defence where he had the perfect game with 100 per cent tackle efficiency. Coster made 33 tackles with no misses.
14. John Radel - Mackay Cutters
In back-to-back Team of the Week appearances, Radel once again stood up for the Cutters in what is proving to be a breakout Cup season for the young forward. He scored one try against the Clydesdales and also made 103 run metres and 35 tackles in a 59-minute performance. Radel also finished with one line break and one tackle break.
15. Josh Allen - Northern Pride
Big and powerful in the front row, Allen was strong against the Redcliffe Dolphins on Saturday. The prop played for 52 minutes and in that time managed 179 run metres, six tackle breaks, 21 tackles and one line break, plus one try for his efforts.
16. Danny Heenan - Sunshine Coast Falcons
In a round-high effort, Heenan made 45 tackles against the Magpies on Saturday night to ensure his side earned the two points. The young hooker also had 66 run metres and an offload, with just one miss in defence.
17. Gerome Burns - Norths Devils
Burns is building each week with the Devils and Saturday may have been the best performance of his season yet. In a strong outing against the Central Queensland Capras, the former Ipswich playmaker turned it on at Bishop Park. Not only did he score one try, but he set up another two. His attacking masterclass continued with 115 run metres, one line break, one line break assist and two tackle busts.
