Wattles centre Matthew Christensen tears Goondiwindi apart in 96-12 TRL A-grade victory

Wattles fell just short of the century mark, belting Goondiwindi 96-12 at the weekend, but one player stood out from the rest in round 18. See why this Wattles centre topped our Top 10 list here.

Matthew Christensen scored six tries for Wattles at the weekend. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The regular season came to a close at the weekend and the action in the final round was exciting.

Souths triumphed 26-24 in a nailbiter with Oakey, while Dalby defeated fellow A-grade premiership contenders Warwick 20-16.

Wattles were the pick of the bunch though, scoring 17 tries in the 96-12 demolition of Goondiwindi – including three different hat-tricks and a six-try haul by centre Matthew Christensen to claim top spot in our player rankings.

With round 18 wrapped up here’s our look at the Top 10 individual performances of the weekend.

Honourable mentions

Connor Nicholls (Highfields A-grade), Diesel Bergsma (Highfields A-grade), Hunter James (Dalby A-grade), Robin Loma (Highfields Reserves), Kimberley Dore (Gatton Women), Tanika Newtown (Gatton Women), Jade Currie (Valleys Women), Shannon Elara (Highfields U19s), Matthew Schultz (Brothers U19s), Deasharn Hebden Salase (Dalby U19s), Lachlan Collins (Warwick U19s), Andre Murray (Dalby U19s), Patrick Nolan (Gatton U19s), Edwin Louis Dainiteri (Valleys Reserves), Cameron Charlton Bundock (Gatton A-grade), Riley Wilson (Souths A-grade), Joseph Willett (Wattles A-grade) and Lachlan Watt (Wattles A-grade) all scored doubles for their teams.

Kaleb Stanton in action for Oakey. Picture: Nev Madsen.

10. Kaleb Stanton (Oakey A-grade)

Stanton tried desperately to claw out a win for Oakey Bears against Souths.

Souths secured a nailbiting 26-24 win but Stanton played his part for the Bears, scoring two of his side’s four tries and kicking two conversions in the loss.

Chris Woodbridge scores a try during the Men's Koori Knockout grand final. Woodbridge has been a key performer for Dalby this season. Picture: Andrea Francolini

9. Chris Woodbridge (Dalby A-grade)

The reigning Webcke Price Medallist expertly steered Dalby to victory at the weekend.

Woodbridge kicked three conversions, a penalty goal and scored a try in his side’s 20-16 win over Warwick Cowboys.

Heath Tisdell scores a try for Southern Suburbs Tigers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

8. Heath Tisdell (Souths A-grade)

The Tigers centre had a big day out against Oakey Bears.

Tisdell scored nearly half of his side’s eight tries – crossing the line three times in Souths 46-10 win.

7. Tyson Stevens (Wattles A-grade)

It was an end to end game at Platz Oval with Wattles treating their home fans to 17 tries.

Lining up at second row, Stevens got in on the action with a hat-trick of tries in his side’s 96-12 demolition of Goondiwindi Boars.

Thomas Hatch (pictured in action for the Western Clydesdales Hastings Deering Colts) was a key player for Wattles at the weekend. Picture: Kevin Farmer

6. Thomas Hatch (Wattles A-grade)

Like his teammate Tyson Stevens – Hatch crossed for three tries at the weekend.

In separating Hatch and Stevens on our list we settled on the time it took each player to rack up their hat-trick.

Hatch took just 41 minutes compared to Stevens’ 43 minutes.

5. Ashton Wilson (Brothers U19s)

Brothers clipped Eagles’ wings at the weekend and Wilson was at the forefront of all the action.

The hard-running lock found the try line three times in his side’s comfortable 42-14 win.

Kayla Jackson (pictured in action for the Western Clydesdales) scored a hat-trick for Valleys at the weekend. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography

4. Kayla Jackson (Valleys Women)

Jackson was the star of the show in Valleys’ 30-14 win over Newtown at the weekend.

The Roosters fullback found plenty of gaps in the Lions defence – crossing the line three times in the match.

3. Leonard Burns (Gatton A-grade)

Gatton celebrated their Madsen Rasmussen minor premiership in style and Burns was in a partying mood.

The Hawks ran in nine tries in their 50-16 defeat of Pittsworth Danes with Burns crossing over three times.

Burns also kicked seven conversions in the home win.

2. Isaac Leach (Wattles Reserves)

The fleet-footed winger and his Wattles teammates tore apart Goondiwindi at the weekend.

Leach scored half of his side’s eight tries in Wattles comprehensive 48-18 win.
His four-try haul helped him jump up the top tryscorers list with Leach now sitting in fourth with 12 tries for the season.

1. Matthew Christensen (Wattles A-grade)

Goondiwindi were torn to pieces by a rampant Wattles at the weekend.

Playing in front of their passionate home fans, the Warriors ran in 17 tries with Joseph Willett opening the scoring just eight minutes into the fixture and Wattles going on to secure a 96-12 win.

Christensen had to wait until the 17th minute to open his account but he was unstoppable from then on.

The Wattles centre scored six tries and in doing so jumped to second on the TRL top try scorers list after starting the round in a share for fourth.

Christensen now has 22 tries for the season, 10 behind Dalby’s Chris Woodbridge.