Round 14 Team of the Week: Lipp lights up for Devils
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Norths Devils fullback Jordan Lipp helped his team stay atop the Hostplus Cup ladder, with a sensational performance against the Tweed Seagulls on Sunday.
It was a week of mammoth efforts across the competition in Round 14.
The likes of Northern Pride duo Dane Aukafolau and Tom Chester, Central Queensland playmaker Anthony Milford, Mackay lock Sean Mullany and Norths backrower Oryn Keeley were all excellent, leading from the front in their respective games.
But Lipp was dangerous and hard to contain for the Devils, picking up captaincy honours for his efforts against Tweed.
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 14 Team of the Week
1. Jordan Lipp - Norths Devils (C)
The versatile Lipp has been excellent for the Devils all year and stood up in a big way on Sunday as Norths returned from back-to-back byes to take on the Tweed Seagulls. The Devils won 42-10, with Lipp scoring a try and setting up another at Bishop Park. Picking up the captaincy honours, Lipp also amassed a round-high of 257 run metres with four tackle breaks, two line breaks and a line break assist.
2. Ronald Philitoga – Brisbane Tigers
The Tigers claimed the grand final rematch against the Burleigh Bears and it was their electric outside backs who helped them seal the deal. Philitoga bagged a double with 144 run metres, a line break, a tackle break and an offload. Fellow Tiger Coby Williamson was also outstanding with two tries, 101 run metres and three tackle busts.
3. Will Partridge – Northern Pride
The Northern Pride continued their 2024 dominance with a convincing win over the Western Clydesdales on Sunday. Partridge was as reliable as ever, scoring two tries with a strong attacking performance. He also ran for 153 metres with four tackle breaks, a line break and a line break assist, as well as 15 tackles.
4. Tom Chester – Northern Pride
Fellow Pride centre Chester also put in an outstanding effort against the Clydesdales on Sunday. Getting through a mountain of work, the North Queensland Cowboys affiliate also bagged a double and set up a third, and smashed through 219 run metres. Chester also had five tackle breaks, a line break, a line break assist and an offload, as well as 12 tackles. Other standout centres from Round 14 included Townsville duo McKenzie Baker and Gehamat Shibasaki, Souths Logan's Ethan Quai-Ward and Wynnum Manly's Connor Broadhurst.
5. Manase Kaho – Norths Devils
Kaho starred against Tweed on Sunday, crossing twice in the 17th and 55th minutes. The 23-year-old also notched up 129 run metres with a massive eight tackle breaks and two line breaks. Other instrumental wingers in Round 14 included Tweed's Brayden McGrady, Townsville's Ratu Rotavisoro, Mackay's Brent Anderson and Wynnum Manly's Stanford Talita.
6. Anthony Milford – Central Queensland Capras
The Dolphins NRL affiliate was absolutely massive for the Capras on Sunday, contributing heavily to their draw with Wynnum Manly. Milford scored a try and set up another while also amassing 203 run metres with eight tackle breaks, two line breaks and an offload.
7. Bailey Biondi-Odo – Townsville Blackhawks
Townsville fought bravely to get the two points over Souths Logan on Sunday, with a number of players working to get the result. Playmaker Biondi-Odo was key to this win, with a particularly strong attacking game. The former Canterbury Bulldog scored a try against the Magpies and played a hand in Lennix Tovo's opening four-pointer. He also had 119 run metres, three tackle breaks, a line break, line break assist and 23 tackles.
8. Fletcher Baker – Burleigh Bears
In his first game for the Bears, Baker was explosive. The Brisbane Broncos affiliate had been shifted to Burleigh ahead of Round 14 and in 46 minutes, made quite the statement against the Brisbane Tigers. The 24-year-old ran for 127 metres and recorded a try assist, three offloads, two tackle busts and a line break assist, as well as 19 tackles.
9. Cory Paix – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
In a stunning all-round performance, Paix was instrumental against the Capras on Sunday. The Brisbane Broncos affiliate bagged a double in the draw at BMD Kougari Oval and made 35 tackles. He also registered 73 run metres, three tackle breaks and two line breaks. It was a strong week from hookers across the competition, with Souths Logan's Blake Mozer and Townsville's Jayden Hodges also starring.
10. Martin Taupau – Souths Logan Magpies
In his first week with Souths Logan - swapping from Burleigh - the Brisbane Broncos affiliate flexed his muscle against Townsville. While he couldn't do enough to help his new side to a win, Taupau made his presence be felt with a huge 171 run metres, four tackle breaks, three offloads and 20 tackles in 54 minutes on the field. Other standout props included Ipswich's Clayton Mack, Western Clydesdales forward Emry Pere, Central Queensland's Zev John and Norths' Tukimihia Simpkins.
11. Oryn Keeley – Norths Devils
The Dolphins NRL affiliate is an absolute workhorse and showed that again on Sunday against Tweed. Keeley amassed a huge 242 run metres, set up a try, and recorded five tackle breaks, two offloads, a line break assist and 21 tackles.
12. Dane Aukafolau – Northern Pride
Out in Toowoomba, the ever-consistent Aukafolau also put in a mammoth performance to rival Keeley's. In back-to-back Team of the Week appearances, Aukafolau scored a try and set up another against the Clydesdales. He also notched up a huge 190 run metres with four tackle breaks, a line break, a line break assist, an offload and 25 tackles.
13. Sean Mullany - Mackay Cutters
Mackay returned to the winner's circle with a solid showing against the Ipswich Jets on Saturday. Mullany shone through in his second game starting at lock for the Cutters. In a huge all-round effort, the 24-year-old played a full game and scored two tries, ran for 140 metres and recorded 42 tackles - a round high. He also had four tackle busts, three offloads and a line break.
14. Oliver Pascoe – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Bringing impact from the bench, Pascoe helped his side secure a draw against the Capras on Sunday. The versatile 24-year-old played 49 minutes with 92 run metres, a try assist, eight tackle breaks and two offloads. He also starred in defence, with 33 tackles and 100 per cent efficiency.
15. Josh Stuckey – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Also for Wynnum, lock Stuckey impressed. He got through a big workload, including 159 run metres, six tackle breaks, four offloads, a line break assist and 24 tackles in 51 minutes.
16. Kierran Moseley – Norths Devils
In a big week for rakes of the competition, Moseley was influential for the Devils on Sunday. The veteran No.9 played 65 minutes with 73 run metres, two try assists, two line break assists, two tackle busts, one offload and 21 tackles.
17. Kyle Schneider – Northern Pride
Another strong No.9 performance came from Pride skipper, Schneider. He put in a massive effort in defence with 41 tackles and just one miss, and also had a try assist, line break assist, a tackle break and 34 run metres.
