The first week of finals saw teams fighting to progress their campaigns for the chance to be in the big dance on October 10.
Plenty of players stepped up to the occasion.
Wynnum Manly Seagulls skipper Sam Scarlett was instrumental for his side during their win over Burleigh Bears, earning himself the Hastings Deering player of the match award and Finals Week 1 Team of the Week skipper honours.
Each round, Queensland Rugby League recognises the 17 best performers and name the Intrust Super Cup Team of the Week. These team selections are based not only on statistical data, but also take on board live and broadcast viewings of the games, with the standout performer of the week named captain.
Finals Week 1 Team of the Week
1. Luke Polselli – Sunshine Coast Falcons
Despite the Falcons dropping out of the race, Falcons fullback was electric for his side against Redcliffe Dolphins. Polselli scored one try, assisted in two, clocked 139 run metres, made one line break and seven tackle breaks, recorded two line break assists and made nine tackles. Wynnum Manly fullback Selwyn Cobbo was also impressive with one try, 237 run metres and six tackle breaks.
2. Will Partridge – Redcliffe Dolphins
The Dolphins winger was excellent in front of a boisterous crowd at Moreton Daily Stadium. Partridge scored two tries, kicked five from seven conversions, one penalty goal, clocked 92 run metres, made two line breaks, two tackle breaks and 11 tackles. Norths Devils’ Nene Macdonald was also good with 250 run metres and 14 tackle breaks.
3. Viliami Vailea – Redcliffe Dolphins
The Dolphins centre scored one try, clocked a huge 258 run metres, including 73 post-contact, assisted in one try, made two line break assists, two tackle breaks and 13 tackles.
4. Isaiah Tass – Souths Logan Magpies
Tass broke the hearts of Townsville Blackhawks fans at the weekend. The Brisbane Broncos-contracted talent scored the final two tries for the Magpies during their 30-24 knock-out win. Tass also clocked 142 run metres, including 43 post-contact, made three tackle breaks and nine tackles.
5. Jon Reuben – Norths Devils
The Devils try-scoring machine added another two during his side’s qualifying final win over Tweed Seagulls, with the last one being the match winner. Reuben also clocked 101 run metres, made one line break and two tackle breaks and recorded one line break assist.
6. Ezra Mam – Souths Logan Magpies
Mam was impressive, as always, during the first week of finals. The flashy five-eighth scored one try, assisted in one try, made one line break and two tackle breaks, clocked 157 run metres and made 21 tackles.
7. Sam Scarlett – Wynnum Manly Seagulls (C)
The Wynnum Manly skipper successfully led his side to a win against 2019 grand final rivals Burleigh Bears. The talented half, during his Hastings Deering player of the match performance, scored one try, clocked 95 run metres, recorded two line break assists, four tackle breaks and made 18 tackles.
8. Michael Molo – Norths Devils
Molo earned himself player of the match during the Channel 9 broadcast game at the weekend. The impressive prop, during his 68 minutes on the field, clocked 152 run metres, made four tackle breaks and had a 97.2 per cent tackle efficiency, making a huge 35 tackles.
9. Josh Chudleigh – Townsville Blackhawks
The talented hooker, despite being part of the losing side, was exceptional. Chudleigh, during his 71 minutes on the field, scored one try, clocked 97 run metres, made one line break, one line break assist, one try assist, four tackle breaks and a huge 37 tackles.
10. Lachlan Timm – Redcliffe Dolphins
Holy Timm. The hard-running prop made a huge run that stopped the crowd and led to Edward Kosi’s try just after the break. During his 73 minutes on the field, Timm clocked 140 run metres, including 56 post-contact, made five tackle breaks and 27 tackles.
Top five: Intrust Super Cup Finals Week 1
11. Tom Ale – Redcliffe Dolphins
The Redcliffe Dolphins forward has been in a rich vein of form and makes his third consecutive appearance in Team of the Week. Ale, who has played at lock and prop, was this week a star performer in the second row, scoring a try to add to his 145 run metres and 21 tackles. He also had a try assist, made six tackle breaks and had five offloads.
12. TC Robati – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The Brisbane Broncos-contracted second rower was unstoppable for Wynnum Manly. Robati scored one try, clocked 213 run metres, including 92 post-contact, made one line break, had one line break assist, six tackle breaks and made 27 tackles.
13. Braden Robson – Tweed Seagulls
The Seagulls lock was a standout for his side during their Finals Week 1 loss to the minor premiers. Robson, during his 68 minutes on the field, scored one try, clocked 166 run metres, including 52 post-contact, made one line break, three tackle breaks and had a 97.4 per cent tackle efficiency, making a huge 37 tackles.
14. Tristan Hope – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Hope has hit his stride at the back end of the season and was excellent in defence for Wynnum Manly against Burleigh. The talented hooker made a huge 40 tackles – the most for his side, made one line break and one tackle break.
15. Jamayne Isaako – Souths Logan Magpies
Isaako’s boot hurt the souls of Blackhawks fans. The Magpies fullback scored 10 of his side’s 30 points, kicking four from five conversions and two pivotal field goals. Isaako also clocked 130 run metres, recorded one line break assist, one try assist and one tackle break.
16. Kyle Laybutt – Townsville Blackhawks
The Blackhawks five-eighth was very good during his side’s final game of the year. Laybutt scored one try, assisted in one try, clocked 79 run metres, made one line break and two tackle breaks, recorded a line break assist and made 11 tackles.
17. Jeff Lynch – Burleigh Bears
Lynch came on mid-way through the first half and got to work. During his 49 minutes on the field, the powerful prop clocked 91 run metres, made one tackle break and 28 tackles.
