SCRU: A-grade 2025 round eight team of the week
The SCRU A-grade round 8 team of the week is spearheaded by the competition’s best positional battle, a leading try scoring jet, rising outside back and damaging front row forward. See who impressed and made the side.
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The battle of the competition’s best second row talents has been extremely exciting to watch this season with a countless number of A-Grade stars proving their worth each week.
Former Wallaby Blake Enever came out of the blocks absolutely firing to start the season for Caloundra alongside Maroochydore’s Mitch Schneider who was one of the Swans best in 2024.
From there the list just goes on with every team in the competition holding a key second row forward in their duffel bag.
Enever’s tamate Gabriele Venditti was a standout in round seven and eight along with Caboolture’s Masirewa Ganita and Wynnum’s Darcy Kenafake.
From the top teams Olly Willis (University), Patrick Edwards (Maroochydore), Harry Wright and Levi Shaw (Noosa) and Logan Pickering (Brothers) have all produced their case as to why the battle of second row forwards is such a congested one this season.
Noosa, Maroochydore and Caloundra all picked up wins in round eight keeping them in the top four behind undefeated leaders University who had the bye.
Round nine will be a serious fixture list to remember when finals roll around with Caloundra hosting University at home, Brothers welcome Wynnum and Noosa will play Maroochydore.
See which players impressed the most in round eight.
SCRU A-GRADE RD 8 TOTW
1. Sonny Uaua (Noosa)
The Dolphins big man was simply too strong and too powerful for Brothers to stop on Saturday.
Uaua, a new addition to the club this season, represented the SEQ team earlier this month and showed why against Brothers.
His efforts alongside his front row crew of Harry O’Connor and Julian Scott-Davies was very impressive.
2. Darcy Leo (Wynnum)
The Bugs were left stunned in the opening half as Caloundra stormed out to a 26-5 halftime lead.
Despite the uphill battle their captain and hooker Darcy Leo showed plenty of courage around the ruck and barked non-stop orders for his side.
3. Josh Dunkley (Caboolture)
It was another tough task for the Snakes in round eight but Dunkley led the charge for his side’s set piece play.
He was strong at the ruck, carried well and was well supported by his prop partner Robert Panipasa.
Plenty of praise also goes to Brothers prop forward Michael Fields.
The 44-year-old has been massive for his side in recent weeks.
4. Darcy Kenafake (Wynnum)
Was Wynnum’s best on Saturday with another impressive showing against a top four Caloundra side.
Kenafake did plenty of damage with the ball under his arm and gave up nothing in defence.
Just missing out was Maroochydore’s Mitch Schneider who was everywhere as always for his side.
5. Gabriele Venditti (Caloundra)
Has been a very impressive player for the Snakes in recent weeks and demands plenty of attention wherever he is on the field.
Against the Swans Venditti produced some big hits, key runs and turnovers.
6. Patrick Edwards (Maroochydore)
Shifted to flanker this week for the Swans but the rising star was as damaging as ever.
He picked up three tries of his own, stopped a Snakes try-scoring maul attempt and showcased his running game.
7. Kurtis Crawford-Hemi (Caloundra)
There was plenty of wide play to get excited about from Caloundra on Saturday but their number seven finished in the conversation of his side’s best.
Crawford-Hemi got up and over the advantage line on every carry and showcased his short passing game really well.
His performance slightly pipped Noosa’s Tai Ford who injected plenty of energy into the Dolphins forward pack when he was subbed into the game with 15 minutes to play in the first half.
8. Matt Kelly (Noosa)
Took the ball to the line with the mindset of working over the Brothers defence every time.
He gained plenty of metres for his side and his try assist to Tai Ford was just one of numerous tip-on plays.
9. Riley Collins (Brothers)
The Brothers halfback has chopped and changed between A-Grade and reserves for the past few years but he always holds his own when called upon.
On Saturday against Noosa he really stepped up to the task in his first start for the season.
It was a good battle to watch between Collins and Noosa’s number nine Ben Condon who also had a great game in his first start of 2025.
10. Ben Stowe (Maroochydore)
The Swans played a much more patient brand of footy in round seven which laid a stable platform for their running game and wide play to shine.
Stowe was the conductor from fly half with great speed control and running game.
When he took the ball to the line the Swans attack had a multitude of attacking options.
Reserve fly half Lochie Stewart also impressed in his return from injury with a respectable 20 minute display.
11. Patrick Sullivan (Wynnum)
The Bugs backline had limited opportunities to shine against Caloundra but their flashes of brilliance were capped off well by Sullivan on the right wing.
The number 14 showcased some nice spatial awareness and was joined by fullback Tyrese Wilson.
12. Jarvis Wood (Maroochydore)
Was the complete beneficiary of the Swans attack on Saturday with plenty of ball and space to run.
The rising back has filled a few roles for the Swans this season which is a good headache to have for head coach Simon Lewis.
13. Albert Polu (Noosa)
The big New Zealand recruit has had limited time in the top grade this season but after some standout performances in reserve grade Polu kept his good form rolling.
Was given a good 25 minute crack off the bench where he quickly caught the Brothers backline on the back foot.
14. Tom Roper (Caloundra)
One of the competition’s leading try scorers got the better of the Wynnum outside backs once again in round eight.
Wearing jersey 11 but playing on the right sting as always, Roper picked up two tries of his own thanks to some crafty footwork and support play.
15. Clark Towers (Brothers)
It was a mismatched backline for Brothers against Noosa on Saturday but fullback Towers was a threat from the get go and tried to lift his side into the game every time he touched the ball.
Came up with plenty of good defensive reads and his performance was capped off thanks to a brilliant solo try towards the end of the game.
Honourable Mentions: Ben Condon (Noosa), Masirewa Ganita (Caboolture), Lochie Stewart (Maroochydore), Mitch Schneider (Maroochydore), Brady Kingan (Maroochydore), Robert Panipasa (Caboolture), Michael Fields (Brothers), Tai Ford (Noosa), Tyrese Wilson (Wynnum), Kyle Van Lunteren (Wynnum), Tye James (Maroochydore), Kaan Askew (Caloundra) and Oscar Torrens (Caboolture).
Originally published as SCRU: A-grade 2025 round eight team of the week
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