We rank the Western Clydesdales top 20 Hostplus Cup players

The halfway mark of the Hostplus Cup season is here and we have run the rule over the performance of the Western Clydesdales squad. See how each player has ranked so far.

Western Clydesdales vs. PNG Hunters. Sunday, March 12, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

As we are now halfway through the Hostplus Cup season, we take a look at the Western Clydesdales players and how they’ve faired so far.

To be eligible for the list, an individual must have played five or more games for the club.

Esom Ioka

Games: 5

Rating: 5/10

In his five games this season, Ioka has been a solid role player, capable of plugging a hole in the forward line, mainly at lock, but we haven’t seen enough of him to properly assess him yet. He has scored 1 try and is averaging 86 running metres.

Riley Moore

Age: 24

Games: 5

Rating: 5/10

The five-eighth has been another role player this season, mainly coming off the bench. He is solid in defence and puts up decent run metres.

Tui Olopau

Games: 7

Rating:5/10

A versatile forward who has mainly come off the bench at prop, Olopau has averaged 72 run metres a game with a tackle efficiency of 91.1%.

Neihana Oldham. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Neihana Oldham

Age: 22

Games: 5

Rating: 5.5/10

The Kiwi prop has been a bit unlucky not to get a few more minutes this season but has performed when called upon. Fantastic in defence and averaging 6 hit ups, he is also 8th overall in decoy runs.

Harrison Leonard

Age: 24

Games: 5

Rating: 6/10

Averaging over 7 hit ups per game, the prop has been very solid in the middle when given an opportunity. Making the move from the Capras, he has been a great depth player for the side.

Hugh Sedger (left). Picture: Nev Madsen.

Hugh Sedger

Age: 27

Games: 6

Rating: 6/10

The lockhas been good when given the chance. He has shown he is very well adept in defence with an impressive 92.6% tackle efficiency and more surprisingly is 7th overall in post contact metres.

Cole Waaka. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Cole Waaka

Age: 27

Games: 7

Rating: 6/10

The handy back, mainly at centre, has scored 5 tries in his 7 games. His defence has been a bit of a concern at 76.5% tackle efficiency.

Nofoasa Malutoa

Age: 24

Games: 9

Rating: 6.5/10

Another lock who has been solid throughout the middle. Malutoa goes a bit under the radar, but does a lot of the intangibles that don’t show up on the stat sheets.

Brock Diment (centre). Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Brock Diment

Age: 23

Games: 6

Rating: 6.5/10

The Roosters product has been a healthy inclusion to the side. Capable of playing centre, fullback or on the wing, Diment has been making great metres, averaging 129, but by his own admission, his defence has not been his best asset.

Matt Duggan. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Matt Duggan

Age: 32

Games: 9

Rating: 6.5/10

The elder statesman in the side decided to give it another go, putting on the boots after retiring last season. The half back has been good in his first 9 appearances, however has been let down a bit by his defensive efforts, 2nd overall for missed tackles.

Todd White (centre). Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Todd White

Age: 25

Games: 9

Rating: 7/10

Local boy and hometown favourite, White has been putting up solid numbers all season. With great defensive reads and good hands, he is also 6th overall for decoy runs.

Hnaloan Budden. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Hnaloan Budden

Age: 27

Games: 8

Rating: 7/10

Making an impact whether he is starting or off the bench, Budden is capable of playing big minutes and is quick for a second-rower. With 4 tries to his name and averaging 87 running metres, he’s handy in the offensive end of the field.

Takai Mokohar

Age: 24

Games: 10

Rating: 7/10

A prop who plays with his heart on his sleeve, sometimes for better of worse, Mokohar has had a fantastic start to the season. Averaging over 10 hit ups and a whopping 415 post contact metres, he has also been the 3rd most penalised player in the competition.

Blake Lenehan (right). Picture: Nev Madsen.

Blake Lenehan

Age: 25

Games: 10

Rating: 7.5/10

The ex-Jets prop has ben in fine touch for his new team. Having played all 10 games this year, Lenehan is an aggressive player that doesn’t mind an offload, currently 6th in the comp. He is a very strong defender, is averaging 91 running metres and is 1st overall for decoy runs.

Western Clydesdales captain Darryn Schonig (second from right). Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Darryn Schonig

Age: 27
Games: 9

Rating: 7.5/10

The captain and starting prop has been massive when on the field. Schonig has shown that he is more than capable of leading from the front and changing the momentum of the game through his gutsy runs up the middle, averaging 11.4 hit ups per game. However, we would love to see him play more minutes, due to his immeasurable impact when he’s leading the forward pack. Schonig has been a wall in defence with 91.5% tackle efficiency, he is averaging 148 average running metres and is 7th overall for post contact metres.

Drew Timms. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Drew Timms

Age: 19

Games: 9

Rating: 8/10

The youngest player in the side, Timms has stepped up to the challenge and shown his maturity through his play. Timms has not shied away from making off the cuff split second decisions in high-pressure moments, regularly backing himself to scoot out of the ruck, or putting in little grubbers through at the play the ball on the opponents try line. His tackle efficiency has been a highlight of his game at 91.3%, and he is currently 7th in receipts, and is 4th for dummy half runs.

Bessie Toomaga. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Bessie Toomaga

Age: 26

Games: 9

Rating: 8/10

Having plied his trade at a few clubs now, Toomaga has been massive for the Clydesdales in the centres. His burst of speed off the mark and finishing ability, in addition to his 80.4% tackle efficiency have made him a core piece in the Clydesdales side. With 6 tries and 28 goals he sits 8th overall for points (80), he is 8th in total goals, 3rd in all runs and 6th in total run metres.

Melino Fineanganofo. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Melino Fineanganofo

Age: 24

Games: 8

Rating: 8.5/10

The barnstorming centre has lit up the Hostplus Cup in his first season. Named in the team of the week four times in a row, and recently picking up a contract with the Bulldogs, the centre would be higher if not for injuries and his 68.1% tackle efficiency. His ability to create space has been a big reason why Watson has had such a successful season on the wing. Fineanganofo has scored 5 tries, had 6 assists, and is averaging 120m running metres per game. He is also third in the comp for line breaks with 47.

Corey McGrady. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Cory McGrady

Age: 29

Games: 10

Rating: 8.5/10

The veteran halfback has been the glue that has held this young side together through their first season. McGrady has been one of the comps best halfbacks, ranking in the top 10 for the following metrics: 3rd for line engagement, 2nd in try assists with 15, 3rd in line break assists, 6th in all kicks, 7th in kick metres, and 3rd with one 40/20. He has also been decent in defence with a 79.3% tackle efficiency.

Mitchell Watson. Picture (ball carrier): Kevin Farmer.

Mitchell Watson

Age: 23

Games: 10

Rating: 9/10

The most in form player for the Clydesdales this season, Watson as he is affectionately known has had a blinder on the edge. Topping the competition with 14 tries, he bagged five against the Jets in their Round 7 win. Watson is also leading the league in line breaks with 12. The only slight on his season to date has been his 65.3% tackle efficiency.