Round 15 Team of the Week: Mullany produces monster effort
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The XXXX Rivalry Round repeat was not a close weekend by any means, as team dominated their oppositions to take the two points.
With the closest scoreline a 12-point one between the Central Queensland Capras and Mackay Cutters, it was a high-scoring round that shook up the Hostplus Cup ladder.
And with so many points scored, players across the competition starred in a big way, with some mammoth statistics recorded.
Five-eighths in particular shone, with Jake Clifford, Luke Polselli and Josh James among three of the best, while Norths Devils second rower Oryn Keeley proved to be a metre-eater with 300 run metres against Souths Logan.
But captaincy honours this week went to a player on a losing team, with Mackay Cutters lock Sean Mullany putting in a performance to remember against the Capras.
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 15 Team of the Week
1. Jordan Lipp - Norths Devils
In back-to-back Team of the Week appearances, Lipp is thriving at the back for the Devils. Against the Souths Logan Magpies, he bagged a double and ran for 166 metres. He also recorded two offloads, two line breaks and a tackle break. Other standout fullbacks included Northern Pride's Lachlan West, Sunshine Coast's Zacariah Miles, Burleigh's Creedence Toia and Redcliffe's Latrell Siegwalt.
2. Brenton Baira – Redcliffe Dolphins
Electric winger Baira was on fire against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls on Saturday, helping the Dolphins to an important victory. The Dolphins took down the third-placed Seagulls 38-8 with Baira scoring two tries. He also had 139 run metres, two tackle busts and two line breaks. Fellow winger William Dobson was outstanding as well, with a jaw-dropping 283 run metres.
3. Will Partridge – Northern Pride
The 27-year-old centre is flourishing with the table-topping Pride this year. In a back-to-back appearance, Partridge makes Team of the Week with two tries, 164 run metres, a line break and a tackle break, as well as 15 tackles.
4. Scott Galeano – Sunshine Coast Falcons
In his best game of the season, Galeano was strong against the Western Clydesdales on Saturday. The centre scored a double in the 52-22 victory and set up a third try. He also ran for 105 metres and notched up five tackle breaks, one line break and an offload, with 15 tackles. Other impressive performances included Wynnum Manly's Stanford Talita, Northern Pride's Dantoray Lui, Central Queensland's Cooper Marshall and Souths Logan's Ethan Quai-Ward.
Round 15 clash of the week: Pride v Blackhawks
5. Jensen Taumoepeau – Northern Pride
The Pride moved into top spot on the Hostplus Cup ladder with a strong win over the Townsville Blackhawks in XXXX Rivalry Round. Taumoepeau was hugely instrumental in Pride racking up 48 points with two tries and an assist. He also registered 95 run metres, a line break, a tackle break and an offload. Other standout wingers included Taumoepeau's teammate Daniel Woodhouse, Burleigh duo Troy Leo and Josiah Karapani and Central Queensland's Bob Tenza.
6. Jake Clifford – Northern Pride
The North Queensland Cowboys affiliate was sensational against the Blackhawks, in a big week for five-eighths across the competition. He played a hand in multiple tries in the 48-0 win - scoring two and setting up another two - and ran for 121 metres. Clifford also had an offload, two line breaks, two line break assists and an impressive six tackle breaks. Other influential five-eighths included Burleigh's Josh Rogers, Norths' Julian Christian and Central Queensland's Anthony Milford.
7. Sean O’Sullivan – Redcliffe Dolphins
The Dolphins NRL playmaker helped orchestrate the win over Wynnum Manly on Saturday with two try assists, two line break assists and 115 run metres. He also recorded 12 kicks for 354 metres and 18 tackles. Guy Hamilton was also strong for Burleigh and Cody Hunter for Sunshine Coast.
8. Bailey Butler – Burleigh Bears
The Burleigh wrecking ball played his best game yet for the Bears on Sunday, as they took down their Gold Coast rivals in the Tweed Seagulls. In 48 minutes, the prop was destructive with the ball in hand, scoring a try and running for 156 metres. He also notched up a huge eight tackle breaks, a line break and an offload, as well as 26 tackles.
9. Trey Brown – Central Queensland Capras
The Capras rake led his team strongly to a vital 30-18 win over the Mackay Cutters on Saturday. He set up two tries, had a line break assist and 17 run metres, and a massive 45 tackles in defence. Danny Heenan was also strong in 66 minutes for the Falcons while Cole Geyer provided great impact off the bench for the Bears.
10. Tukimihia Simpkins – Norths Devils
Damaging forward Simpkins set the platform against the Magpies on Sunday. He was busy in attack with a try and an assist, 126 run metres, five offloads, three tackle busts, a line break and a line break assist. In defence, he made 21 tackles and finished with 100 per cent efficiency. Other key prop performances included Northern Pride's Ash Little, Wynnum Manly's Zac Hetherington, Burleigh's Fletcher Baker, Sunshine Coast's Chris Lewis, Central Queensland's Zev John and Redcliffe's Jarrod Wallace.
11. Oryn Keeley – Norths Devils
A contender for captaincy honours this week, Keeley has a motor that just does not stop running. The second rower and Dolphins NRL affiliate amassed a monster 300 run metres - 122 post-contact metres - against Souths Logan. He also recorded seven tackle breaks, four offloads and a line break, as well as 18 tackles.
12. Josh Patston – Burleigh Bears
In 56 minutes on the field, Patston was constantly a threat against the Tweed Seagulls on Sunday. The second rower bagged two tries, ran for 142 metres, registered four tackle breaks, two line breaks and an offload, and made 22 tackles. Other strong backrowers included Redcliffe's Jackson Frei and Townsville's Eddie Hampson.
13. Sean Mullany – Mackay Cutters (C)
He may have been on the losing side on Saturday, but Mackay lock Mullany can hold his head high over an inspirational individual effort. On both sides of the ball the 24-year-old was unstoppable. Not only did Mullany amass 244 metres off 25 runs, but he also made 44 tackles. He also notched up a massive 10 tackle breaks, four offloads, a line break and a try as the cherry on top. Other impressive locks included Central Queensland's Lachlan Hubner and Redcliffe skipper, Max Bailey.
14. Josh James – Redcliffe Dolphins
In a big week for five-eighths, James was unlucky not to make the starting side following a strong all-round performance on Saturday. The Redcliffe playmaker set up four tries in the crucial win over Wynnum Manly and also had three line break assists and a tackle break. In defence, he made 27 tackles with 100 per cent efficiency.
15. Charlie Murray – Burleigh Bears
Bringing a big impact off the bench, the Bears enforcer was instrumental in Sunday's win over Tweed. Murray got through a good amount of work in 51 minutes, finishing with a try, 143 run metres, eight tackle breaks, three offloads, one line break and 23 tackles.
16. Tesi Niu – Norths Devils
The Dolphins NRL affiliate was hard to contain on Sunday. Niu was explosive with 140 run metres and nine tackle breaks against Souths Logan. He also scored a try and set up another, and registered three offloads, a line break and a line break assist.
17. Luke Polselli – Sunshine Coast Falcons
Another standout five-eighth in Round 15 was Falcons playmaker Polselli. Against the Clydesdales, the Italy international scored a try and set up another two four-pointers for his team. He also had three tackle breaks, two line break assists, a line break, 89 run metres and 25 tackles.
Catch all the Hostplus Cup replays from Round 15 by subscribing to Qplus.tv.
