Round 7 Team of the Week: Coster, McGrady, Mozer stun in big week
- Author
- Timestamp
The players of the Hostplus Cup continue to go to new heights, with a number of impressive performances setting an incredible standard in Round 7.
From Brayden McGrady's five tries for Tweed to Blake Mozer's stunning all-round performance for Souths Logan, it was a weekend of impressive individual achievements and some big team victories.
But, in a tough week, it was Burleigh lock Sam Coster who picked up the Team of the Week captaincy honours for a knockout performance against the PNG Hunters, which included a perfect defensive effort.
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 7 Team of the Week
1. Zacariah Miles – Sunshine Coast Falcons
In a week of stunning fullback performances - including Keano Kini, Tristan Sailor, McKenzie Baker and Zane Camroux - it was Sunshine Coast No.1 Miles who picked up Team of the Week honours. Miles was instrumental out the back in an impressive win over the Central Queensland Capras, which ended a recent hoodoo for the Falcons. The 23-year-old bagged a double, ran for 184 metres, recorded nine tackle breaks, one line break and one offload.
2. Brayden McGrady – Tweed Seagulls
In one of the best performances of the week - and a narrow miss for captaincy honours - McGrady was in sizzling form against the Brisbane Tigers on Saturday. It was a stunning 50-12 victory to the Seagulls and it couldn't have been done without McGrady's jaw-dropping five tries. Tweed's entire backline was red hot and McGrady showed up everywhere he needed to be. Alongside his try-scoring haul, the former NRL Dolphin also amassed 222 run metres, eight tackle busts, six line breaks and three offloads.
3. Jordan Lipp – Norths Devils
Try-scoring machine Lipp continued his recent form to get Norths back in the winner's circle, finding a double against the Western Clydesdales on Saturday. Against his former club, Lipp also set up a third try and notched up a stunning 172 run metres with four tackle breaks, two line breaks, two line break assists and two offloads in an attacking masterclass.
4. Will Brimson – Tweed Seagulls
The Seagulls stalwart was at his best against the Tigers on Saturday. Tweed were relentless in their pursuit of a win and Brimson played his hand in a number of big moments. The versatile back scored two tries and set up another two and was hard to handle with 116 run metres, four tackle breaks, two line break assists and one line break. Elsewhere, Kienan Tempest was sensational in his Cup debut with Souths Logan, scoring two tries against Mackay Cutters.
5. Tony Francis – Tweed Seagulls
It would be easy for Francis' performance against the Tigers to be overshadowed by fellow winger McGrady bagging five tries, but the Gold Coast Titans affiliate deserves plenty of attention for his own efforts on Saturday. Francis nabbed two tries of his own and also amassed 222 run metres, with 179 post-contact metres. He had plenty of involvement throughout the day, including five tackle breaks, three offloads, three line breaks and one line break assist. Other standout wingers include Norths' Blake Paskins, Burleigh's Josiah Karapani and Central Queensland's Bob Tenza.
6. Matthew Wright – Townsville Blackhawks
The Blackhawks caused an upset on Sunday to take down the formerly second-placed Redcliffe Dolphins and this was in large part thanks to five-eighth Matt Wright. The team's own player of the match, Wright starred with two tries, five tackle breaks, two line breaks, 78 run metres and a solid 23 tackles. Elsewhere, Josh Rogers was also key for Burleigh in their big win over the PNG Hunters.
7. Guy Hamilton – Burleigh Bears
Burleigh's little general was at his best on Saturday against the PNG Hunters. The No.7 set up three tries for his team in the 48-24 victory and backed that up with 124 run metres, five tackle breaks, two line break assists and one line break. Elsewhere, Tom Weaver was strong for Tweed and Jake Bourke instrumental for Townsville.
8. Ben Te Kura – Souths Logan Magpies
Brisbane Broncos forward Te Kura was explosive with his time on the field on Saturday, utilising his 48 minutes for a massive impact in attack. The young gun smashed through a stunning 234 run metres with three tackle busts. He also made 18 tackles with just one miss to help Souths Logan to a much-needed win over Mackay.
9. Blake Mozer – Souths Logan Magpies
Fellow Broncos affiliate Mozer was also in fine form against the Cutters. The young rake played 68 minutes and in that time he scored a try and set up another three for his team. Mozer also had 73 run metres, five tackle breaks, three line break assists, one line break and 33 tackles in one of the best all-round performances of the week. Elsewhere, Kyle Paterson was strong for the Sunshine Coast Falcons with a try assist and 39 tackles.
10. Max Bailey – Redcliffe Dolphins
Bailey earns back-to-back Team of the Week selections for a strong defensive performance on Sunday against the Blackhawks pack. Bailey made 47 tackles - a round-high in the Hostplus Cup - in his 66 minutes on the field, leading from the front in the close loss. Bailey also had 85 run metres and one tackle break. On the opposite side of the park, James Tamou was solid for the Blackhawks while elsewhere Zev John was strong for the Capras. A tough omission from Team of the Week was also Burleigh's Matt Koellner with 123 run metres and 28 tackles, with 100 per cent tackle efficiency.
11. Connelly Lemuelu – Norths Devils
The Dolphins NRL forward played his first Cup game of the season on Saturday and made an immediate impact. In Devils colours for the first time, Lemuelu scored a try and set up another, ran for 159 metres, and recorded two tackle breaks, two offloads, one line break and one line break assist with 15 tackles.
12. Hayden Schwass – Burleigh Bears
Veteran backrower Schwass nabbed himself a double against the PNG Hunters on Saturday, aiming up against a forward pack that is always tough to beat. Schwass also made 30 tackles and registered five tackle breaks, one line break and 92 run metres.
13. Sam Coster – Burleigh Bears (C)
In his third straight appearance in Team of the Week, Coster maintained his red hot form with one of his strongest performances of the year so far. Coster continues to go from strength-to-strength and Saturday was no different - again against the notorious Hunters forward pack. In 80 minutes, Coster amassed a stunning 219 run metres and made 45 tackles, with 100 per cent tackle efficiency. This jaw-dropping effort was topped off with a try assist, seven offloads, three tackle breaks and one line break assist, to see Coster pip Brayden McGrady for captaincy honours. Elsewhere, Souths Logan's Rory Ferguson and Tweed's Jacob Alick-Wiencke also starred.
14. Keano Kini – Tweed Seagulls
The statistics don't reflect just how involved Kini was in Tweed's win over the Brisbane Tigers. The fullback sensation did record two try assists, 143 run metres, four tackle breaks, two line break assists, one line break and one offload in his 64 minutes on the field, but was hugely influential on Tweed's attack and played a hand in a number of tries on Saturday.
15. Jamie Hill – Sunshine Coast Falcons
The former Central Queensland forward came off the bench for the Sunshine Coast against his old side on Saturday and let his presence be known. Hill ran for 153 metres with nine tackle breaks and one offload in 53 minutes. He also made 24 tackles.
16. Jordan Pereira – Souths Logan Magpies
The Magpies very much needed their win over the Cutters on Saturday and it was the likes of Pereira who stepped up to help them get it. The Brisbane Broncos-contracted winger scored a try and set up another, worked through 206 run metres, and recorded seven tackle breaks, one offload, one line break and one line break assist.
17. Lindon McGrady – Tweed Seagulls
Tweed's backline wouldn't have fired so effectively on Saturday without the influence of McGrady. The veteran playmaker did all he could to lead the way in the 50-12 victory with two try assists, two line break assists, one tackle break, one offload, 10 tackles and 108 run metres.
Catch all the Hostplus Cup action by subscribing to Qplus.tv.
