The two preliminary finals at Suncorp Stadium, played ahead of the NRL grand final at the weekend, were sensational.
Players from all four teams – Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Tweed Seagulls, Norths Devils and Burleigh Bears – put it all on the line for a chance to play in Sunday’s grand final at Moreton Daily Stadium.
Wynnum Manly hooker Jayden Berrell excelled in the first game to be named Hastings Deering player of the match, and to get skipper honours for the Finals Week 3 Team of the Week; and Norths’ Danny Levi picked up the Hastings Deering player of the match in the second game.
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 3 Team of the Week
1. Kurtis Rowe – Burleigh Bears
The Bears fullback put in a solid performance against the Devils. Rowe, named the best player in the 2019 Cup grand final and awarded the Duncan Hall Medal, recorded one try assist, clocked 146 run metres, made one line break and three tackle breaks and recorded two line break assists. He also scored one try to equal Burleigh’s Cup try-scoring record and joined Reggie Cressbrook and Trent Purdon with 69.
2. Nene Macdonald – Norths Devils
The speedy Devils winger clocked a massive 208 run metres, including 69 post-contact, made one line break and five tackle breaks and recorded one line break assist. Devils coach Rohan Smith said “I was just impressed at how the boys played together through the hard parts and did enough” to get through to the “next opportunity”.
3. Delouise Hoeter – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Hoeter was simply electric against Tweed Seagulls. The 2019 XXXX Queensland Residents centre scored a hat-trick of tries, clocked 115 run metres, including 42 post-contact metres, made three line breaks and four tackle breaks, and made 15 tackles. Wynnum Manly coach Adam Brideson said after the game he was proud of the “fantastic spirit and commitment in the team”.
Hoeter: Wynnum Manly keen to atone for 2019
4. Sami Sauiluma – Burleigh Bears
The talented Bears centre, named in this year’s Cup Team of the Year, was excellent. Sauiluma scored one try, clocked 206 run metres, including 74 post-contact, and made one line break and five tackle breaks. The Bears named him their ‘Statman of the week’.
5. Jonus Pearson – Burleigh Bears
The NRL-experienced Pearson, who is off to the Central Queensland Capras next season, was dangerous for the Bears at Suncorp Stadium. He clocked 164 run metres, including 42 post-contact, made one line break and three tackle breaks.
6. Jack Campagnolo – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
The Wynnum Manly five-eighth has been a consistent performer for the Seagulls throughout 2021. Campagnolo, named in this year’s Cup Team of the Year, kicked six from seven conversion attempts, adding 12 points to Wynnum Manly’s 40-point total, clocked 89 run metres, made one line break and two tackle breaks, assisted in one try and made 15 tackles.
7. Toby Sexton – Tweed Seagulls
The Tweed half was one of his side’s standouts against Wynnum Manly at the weekend, especially during the first half of the match. Sexton kicked three from three conversions, made 62 run metres, had one line break assist, and made 21 tackles with a 95.5 per cent tackle efficiency.
8. Michael Molo – Norths Devils
The Devils prop, who has been a consistent performer for Norths this year, was superb in attack and defence. Molo, during his 62 minutes on the field, clocked 162 run metres, including 60 post-contact, made two tackle breaks, and 27 tackles.
9. Jayden Berrell – Wynnum Manly Seagulls (C)
The 2021 Petero Civoniceva Medal winner led the Seagulls around Suncorp Stadium and showed off why he took out top honours this year. Berrell, who was named Hastings Deering player of the match, scored two tries, assisted in one, made one line break and three tackle breaks, recorded one line break assist and made 25 tackles. Team mate Tristan Hope was also on fire during the preliminary final.
Top five: Intrust Super Cup Finals Week 3
