Plenty of run metres, high tackle counts and some stellar performances highlight Round 9 of Hostplus Cup.
Central Queensland Capras talent Lachlan Hubner was solid in attack and defence against fellow Dolphins NRL feeder side Redcliffe Dolphins, earning himself the Hostplus strong performer nod and captain honours for the Round 9 Team of the Week.
Brisbane Tigers centre Solomona Faataape was hard to handle in Round 9, putting in a Hastings Deering player of the match performance in the feature game against Norths Devils at Bishop Park.
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 9 Team of the Week
1. Tristan Sailor – Souths Logan Magpies
The Brisbane Broncos-contracted fullback was electric in Round 9. Sailor, the son of Queensland Maroons great Wendell Sailor, scored one try, assisted in one try, registered a whopping 226 run metres, including 63 post-contact, made one line break, one line break assist and seven tackle breaks. Redcliffe Dolphins fullback Trai Fuller was also good with one try, 182 run metres, one line break and seven tackle breaks.
2. Jodeci Baker-Tiraha – Townsville Blackhawks
The Blackhawks flyer scored a hat-trick against PNG Hunters to help his side claim the two points. Baker-Tiraha also registered 83 run metres, two line breaks and three tackle breaks. Burleigh Bears winger Ken Maumalo was also good with one try, 192 run metres, including 89 post-contact, one line break and six tackle breaks.
3. Solomona Faataape – Brisbane Tigers (VC)
Faataape put in a Hastings Deering player of the match performance in the Round 9 feature game against Norths Devils. The Tiger centre was hard to handle during the soggy game at Bishop Park; he scored one try, registered 161 run metres, including 53 post-contact, made two line breaks and nine tackle breaks.
4. Sami Sauiluma – Burleigh Bears
The Bears captain is a consistent performer in Cup and Round 9 was no different. Sauiluma scored two tries, assisted in one try, ran for 182 metres, made one line break, one line break assist and two tackle breaks during his side’s 42-6 win over Mackay Cutters. Redcliffe Dolphins centre Albert Kelly was also excellent with two tries, one try assist, 216 run metres, including 63 post-contact, one line break and four tackle breaks.
5. Jordan Pereira – Souths Logan Magpies
Pereira, who is contracted to the Broncos, made a habit of breaking the line against Tweed Seagulls with a huge 17 tackle breaks and one line break. He also scored one try and made 161 run metres, including 61 post-contact. Tigers centre George Jennings was also good with two tries, 137 run metres, two line breaks and two tackle breaks.
6. Cameron Cullen – Redcliffe Dolphins
The former Dolphins captain is back. Cullen, who as he puts it is “making more comebacks than John Farnham”, scored one try, assisted in one try, made 121 run metres, 357 kick metres, two line breaks, seven tackle breaks and 10 tackles during his comeback match against Central Queensland Capras.
7. Evan Child – Northern Pride
The Pride halfback scored the match-winning try for his side against Western Clydesdales in Round 9. Child also registered 102 run metres, two tackle breaks and 15 tackles. Opposing halfback Matt Duggan was also good, as was Burleigh Bears halfback Guy Hamilton.
8. Sylvester Namo – Townsville Blackhawks
The Blackhawks prop was solid in attack and defence for his side during his 41 minutes on the field against his old side. Namo scored one try, made 145 run metres, including 60 post-contact, one line break, a huge 13 tackle breaks and 13 tackles, missing none.
9. Jayden Hodges – Townsville Blackhawks
Hodges was a force in the middle for the Blackhawks, in attack and defence. The hooker assisted in four tries, registered 169 run metres, made one line break, two line break assists, two tackle breaks and 34 tackles. Tigers hooker Tristan Hope was also good, making a huge 56 tackles against Norths Devils.
10. Jordan Grant – Brisbane Tigers
The Tigers prop, who is contracted to Melbourne Storm, was excellent during his 47 minutes on the field. Grant scored one try, made 137 run metres, one line break, three tackle breaks and 17 tackles during his side’s win over the Devils.
11. Jacob Alick – Burleigh Bears
The Gold Coast Titans-contracted second rower scored two tries, made 137 run metres, two line breaks, four tackle breaks and 22 tackles, with 95.65 per cent tackle efficiency, during his side’s Round 9 win. Devils second rower Brendan Piakura, who is signed with the Broncos, also put in a decent effort with one try, 75 run metres, one line break, eight tackle breaks and 16 tackles.
12. Lachlan Hubner – Central Queensland Capras (C)
Hubner was a mainstay in Team of the Week during 2022 and his form this year is no different. The talented second rower, who did a pre-season with the Dolphins NRL side, scored one try, registered 216 run metres, including 76 post-contact, made three line breaks, eight tackle breaks and 33 tackles during his side’s loss to Redcliffe Dolphins.
13. Riley Price – Townsville Blackhawks
The North Queensland Cowboys-contracted lock played out of his skin in Round 9. Price, son to Queensland Maroons legend Steve Price and nephew to Brent Tate, scored two tries, registered 220 run metres, including 69 post-contact, made three line breaks, one line break assist, nine tackle breaks and 17 tackles. It should be noted Tweed Seagulls lock Jaron Purcell made a huge 48 tackles during his side’s game against Souths Logan.
14. Rory Ferguson – Souths Logan Magpies
The Souths Logan captain was excellent during his 62 minutes on the field against Tweed Seagulls. The talented lock made 142 run metres, including 55 post-contact, seven tackle breaks and 40 tackles with a 97.56 per cent tackle efficiency.
15. Tariq Sims – Brisbane Tigers
The Melbourne Storm-contracted lock put in a stellar performance for the Tigers. Sims scored one try, assisted in one try, made 188 run metres, including 55 post-contact, one line break, four tackle breaks and 34 tackles, missing none.
16. Ethan Quai-Ward – Souths Logan Magpies
Quai-Ward, who is contracted to the Broncos, was impressive in Round 9; the talented centre made 256 run metres, including 88 post-contact, assisted in one try, made one line break assist and six tackle breaks.
17. Brayden McGrady – Redcliffe Dolphins
McGrady is always dangerous, whenever he has the ball. The Dolphins winger scored one try, assisted in two tries, registered 161 run metres, including 62 post-contact, made one line break assist, eight tackle breaks and four tackles, missing none.
