Meninga Cup round 7 Team of the Week
Is our Meninga Cup Team of the Week hooker the Brisbane Broncos next big thing? Read about this Gold Coast rookie, and who else made our Team of the Week.
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Whoever the talent scout responsible for the Brisbane Broncos signing Gold Coast teenager Blake Mozer should get a bonus.
Mozer, a Keebra Park SHS graduate who now plays with the Souths Logan Magpies, produced a first half masterclass in his team’s 36-18 win over Norths on Sunday.
Queensland is supplying some exciting new talent into the NRL and dummy half Mozer is as good an up-and-coming talent as there is.
The likes of Jack Howarth (Storm), Sam Walker (Roosters), Tom Weaver (Titans), Xavier Savage (Canberra), Deine Mariner (Broncos), Xavier Willison (Broncos), Heilum Luki (Cowboys), Jayden Campbell (Titans), Reece Walsh (Warriors), Toby Sexton (Titans), Ezra Mam (Broncos), Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys), Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Jack Martin (Sharks) and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Cowboys) are youngsters who have either broken into the NRL, or who will be blooded in the next 12 months.
Now add Mozer to that list of high class rookies.
Like all the good ones Mozer has time.
He has great variety in his game, can play slow or speed play up, kicks and runs effectively as his two tries and a creation of a third against Norths showed on Sunday.
He is also a big body for a hooker and sticks hard in defence.
Importantly he is also level headed young bloke who won’t get ahead of himself.
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1. Hayden Molkentien (Ipswich Jets)
In the absence of metre-eating fullback Tyler Peckham-Harris, Molkentien shared the fullback role with utility outside back Caleb Jackson. Both boys were challenged by coach Shane Harris to maintain the high standards set by Peckham-Harris.
2. Michael Roberts (Tweed Seagulls)
Roberts shone for the Tweed in their season finale victory playing in his old position of fullback. He switched from five-eighth and enjoyed the space and freedom at the back. To fit all the best players into our top 13, we have named him at wing.
3. Nat Tangimataiti (Magpies)
Tangimataiti has been playing well on the edge for Magpies and continued his good form at the weekend. A Queensland schoolboys selection in 2021, the Marsden SHS alumni has been named as a centre in our team – something he would handle with ease.
4. Caleb Jackson (Ipswich Jets)
He can play centre, wing and fullback and on Saturday it was both wing and fullback as he switched around with teammate Hayden Molkentien. To make sure we get the best performers from round 7 into our squad, Jackson makes our team as a centre.
5. Alton Naiyep (Ipswich Jets)
On the surface Naiyep made the team for his three try effort, but around those tries he was unselfish when in possession and fought hard when tackled to play the ball quickly and help send the next crash ball runner on his way.
6. Karl Oloapu (Norths)
Oloapu came into his own the more the match marched on against Souths Logan. His long and short passing and running game asked questions of the Magpies defence. He is a class act.
7. Zack Lamont (Blackhawks)
The talented half had another fine match for the Townsville-based side, both with the ball and with an astute kicking game.
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No. 13. Damon Marshall (Blackhawks)
He has a big, big motor this boy in the true tradition of emerging North Queensland young forwards. If at any stage his team’s form dipped, he never dropped his standards and again played a full match in the middle in demanding heat.
Second row: Baden Robinson (Cutters)
Robinson is another to get better and better as the Cutters marched on this season, with an altered ball running style reaping benefits late in the season.
Second row: Will Taylor (Tweed Seagulls)
Unheralded before the start of the competition, the northern NSW edge backrower has been one of the finds of the season. He has circled our Team of the Week all competition, and we are delighted to see him make our round 7 side.
Prop: Darcy Carswell (Clydesdales)
Mr Consistent was at his best yet again, rolling up his sleeves and leading his team by example.
Hooker: Dyllan Cousens (SC Falcons)
In a brave team performance, captain Cousens said follow me as his team overcame playing most of the match with 12 men – and for a period 11 men – against the Clydesdales.
Prop: Felix Faatili (Wynnum Seagulls)
It is no coincidence that the big man got rolling and as a result Wynnum found themselves on the winning side of the scoreboard. He and his prop partner Ryan Jackson did a great job for the Seagulls.
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Jaxon Purdue (Cutters)
Purdue has flourished as the season has progressed and on Saturday it was his kicking game which influenced his team’s win around his willing front row and edge forwards Baden Robinson.
Caleb Eaton (Northern Pride)
Eaton and his mate Liam O’Brien helped the Pride finish the season with their heads high during a gritty second half effort. Down 20-nil, Eaton kicked to the corners and took the line on, while O’Brien gave his team momentum around the ruck, helping Pride finish strongly despite being in an impossible position.
Tahrell Feavai (Norths)
Feavai answered the call to arms to give his side ball security and thrust around the ruck after his side were seemingly out of the contest trailing 28-nil against Souths Logan.
Eli Tuli (Tweed Seagulls)
Tough, agile and willing, Tuli has really come into his own as a mobile middle forward for Tweed Seagulls.
Ayden Hoad (Wynnum)
Hoad took advantage of his rampaging props Felix Faatili and Ryan Jackson to put his finger prints all over Wynnum’s win over Redcliffe.
Drew Timms (Redcliffe)
Work must be Timms’ middle name because on the football field his work rate with and without the ball must be a coaches’ dream.
Bailey Cavanough (Capras)
Mr Consistent No. 2, Cavanough was all effort for the Capras. But so too was Will Lewis who, not for the first time this season, stood out from the pack, as did his teammate Kurt Fisher.
Carter Wight (Capras)
Dummy half Wight had high stats numbers this season and it is little wonder given a typical display of toil and hard work.
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