SCRU: A-grade 2025 round three team of the week

Round three is in the books with a number of rising stars and experienced guns earning their place in the SCRU A-Grade team of the week. See who made the cut.

SCRU A-Grade round three team of the week. Pictures: Nicola Anne Photography, Facebook and Patrick Gillett.

Round three of the A-Grade Sunshine Coast rugby union season is done and dusted as the top four begin to breakaway from the pack.

Caloundra moved to top of the table after a 73-10 thumping over Caboolture, Noosa are in second after a dominant 45-10 result over Wynnum while University took the points in a gritty, muddy 27-19 contest over Brothers.

University head coach Brad Tronc said it was an eventful match.

“It was a willing contest, the conditions probably didn’t suit either side but both teams went at it pretty hard,” he said.

“There’s only one place worse on the Sunshine Coast that would’ve been worse on Saturday and that would’ve been Uni so well done for Brothers for putting on the day.

Action from the University v Brothers round three match. Picture: Patrick Gillett.

“The second half was better than the first for us, we didn’t execute well enough in the opening 40 minutes by trying to run too much of the footy out of our own end in the conditions.

“We played a bit more boring in the second half which seemed to work.”

Tronc applauded Brothers’ relentless defensive efforts as his side now prepare for a 2024 grand final rematch against Noosa in round four.

“A credit to the Brothers defence, they were pretty staunch on their line all day and turned the ball over at our rucks so we’ve got some work to do there,” he said.

“No special plans for this week, everything in these first few rounds are about our own preparation as we know we’re going to come up against a good Noosa outfit.

“You always do, so I’m looking forward to it.”

In the other matches, Maroochydore will return from the bye to play Brothers at home while Caboolture will host Wynnum as both teams chase their first win of the season.

SCRU A-GRADE RD 3 TEAM OF THE WEEK

1. Walter Sua (Brothers)

Was very impactful in the opening half against University before the conditions took a toll.

Sua had some big carries and solid defensive chops.

2. Ronin Nutley (Caloundra)

Caloundra hooker Ronin Nutley. Picture: Nicola Anne Photography.

Was a menace all day for Caloundra who dominated Caboolture in the middle of the park.

Nutley led from the front with strong advantage line metres, good set piece involvement and even some link-up play out wide.

3. Nicholas White (Wynnum)

There was constant pressure from White against Noosa who never gave an inch.

He was positive at the set piece and produced some strong carries for his side.

Caloundra’s Cameron Ray had a great impact off the bench as well and was unlucky not to make this side.

4. Olly Willis (University)

University player Olly Willis. Picture: Nicola Anne Photography.

The Barbarians English recruit was everywhere on Saturday in the muddy and wet conditions.

Willis showcased his big motor, double efforts and dominance at the lineout.

5. Blake Enever (Caloundra)

Caloundra player Blake Enever. Picture: Adrian Bell Photography.

Once again Enever was the best on ground in his side’s big 73-10 win, showing everyone exactly why he was a Wallaby.

The 33-year-old has arguably been the competition’s leading player so far this season.

6. Josh Mostert (University)

University player Josh Mostert. Picture: Nicola Anne Photography.

Mostert has stepped into the starting flanker role for the Barbarians this season after stalwart Michael Cocks hung up the boots in the off season.

On Saturday, Mostert produced a career best A-Grade performance as he was extremely physical in defence and was tough to stop with the ball in hand.

7. Ben Ashman (Noosa)

The Noosa junior was the standout player of the match on Saturday, making a rare appearance as captain.

His efforts at the breakdown were unstoppable and came up with plenty of burrowing runs.

8. Kye Atkinson (Noosa)

Atkinson played as the Dolphins number six against Wynnum but would’ve been a harsh edition to leave out of the side.

His partnership alongside Ashman was evident as the pair went hammer and tongs at the Wynnum ruck all game.

Reserve breakaway forward Alex Tollis was also strong once he entered the game.

9. Hugh Johnstone (Brothers)

In his first full game since shoulder surgery, Johnstone probably couldn’t have imagined worse conditions to what he was dealt on Saturday.

The Brothers halfback was non-stop all match, showing plenty of determination at the ruck against a strong University forward pack.

10. Tim Moody (Noosa)

Slotted in at fly half this week for the Dolphins, pushing regular number 10 Joey Caputo to inside centre.

Moody stepped up and did his job exactly as the team needed, controlling the game really well as well as shifting or running the ball when required.

Was well supported by his outside backs.

11. Joel Norris (Wynnum)

It was tough going for the Bugs against Noosa in round three but left winger Norris was a shining light for his side.

Despite not being able to cross the try line, Norris delivered two successful spot kicks and came up with some big defensive plays.

12. Sam Ah Mein (Brothers)

Has been the competitions standout attacking centre this season and against University Ah Mein muscled his way into the points once again.

He scored a great solo try in the dying stages of the match, showcasing his solid fitness and attacking threat in the poor conditions.

13. Colby Mason (University)

Colby Mason in action for University Barbarians. Picture: Nicola Anne Photography.

Back into the starting side for University this week and he was a clear standout once again.

Mason was great on both sides of the ball, recorded a number of post contact metres and played like an extra forward at times.

14. Luke Fitzgerald (Caloundra)

Played in the centres for Caloundra against Caboolture but is deserving of a spot in the team so he slots in at right wing this round.

Finished with two tries for the match, his first off the back of a powerful run and support pass from Blake Enever while his second was a burrowing solo effort close to the line.

15. Shaquille Rangi (University) 

University player Shaquille Rangi. Picture: Nicola Anne Photography.

After missing the majority of the 2024 season with injury, Rangi has grown in confidence in the last two rounds and was one of Barbarian’s best in their round three win.

The talented fullback had great positional play, safe hands and was a major attacking focus point all game.

Honourable Mentions: Cameron Ray (Caloundra), Alex Tollis (Noosa), Tai Ford (Noosa), Will Christie (Noosa), Sam Hoffman (Caboolture), Jared Lean (Caboolture), Kai Grimley (Wynnum) and Savili Petelo (Wynnum).

Originally published as SCRU: A-grade 2025 round three team of the week