TEAM OF THE WEEK: Season Ten, Round Five - April 5
GORGIA WATKINS
Team: Belmont.
Result: Belmont 7 def. Rutherford 6
Why: Watkins may just have put in one of the best performances of the season as she guided her team to a last-gasp victory over Rutherford. Thirteen rounds were played in the 7-6 clash, and Watkins earned 15 catches and a handful of eliminations across the match, and set a new catch-average record for the season. If Watkins can keep her form from the past few weeks up for the middle-point of the season, Belmont could find themselves securing a play-off position before season's end.
First appearance in the Team of the Week.
DAN JENKINSON
Team: Rutherford.
Result: Rutherford 6 def. by Belmont 7.
Why: Often know for his lethal eliminations and dangerous forward throws, Jenkinson once again took the game into his own hands as he ran the offence for the side. It wasn't enough for the victory in the end, but Jenkinson's efforts certainly brought the Rutherford squad within touching distance of the two points. Also showed spadefuls of sportsmanship over the course of the match, keeping his team and himself honest as he stormed to his first Team of the Week appearance.
First appearance in the Team of the Week.
HARRY GIBSON
Team: Hamilton.
Result: Hamilton 13 def. Raymond Terrace nil.
Why: Back to back Team of the Week performances proves a big positive for Hamilton - Gibson is back to earn points in the middle spill of the season. As Hamilton return to the top of the table, the second half of the season may prove a running race between Waratah and the defending champions with who can secure first place for play-offs, and 'Mr Dodgeball's' fiery form could be the difference in the battle.
Second appearance in the Team of the Week.
DOUG BYRNE
Team: Hamilton.
Result: Hamilton 13 def. Raymond Terrace nil.
Why: If Gibson's front-line talents provided the pace for Hamilton in their 13-0 shell-shock victory over the Terrace, Byrne's key catches and long-ranged cannon-shots was the catalyst to closing out matches for the defending champions. Although the opening few points saw Byrne sent early for attempted catches, the fourth round saw things click and he didn't slow down from there - 9 games on the trot he scored eliminations and catches to send Hamilton back to table-topping heights with their point difference.
First appearance in the Team of the Week.
BENJAMIN MCINTYRE
Team: Cooks Hill.
Result: Cooks Hill 6 def. Waratah 5.
Why: The Cookers' captain continued his inspiring form after insipid performances in early weeks, and as the game came down the wire in the 11th round of the match McIntyre continued to prove why he was signed as the franchise player of the club - two wins on the trot is good for any team in the competition, but to down Hamilton and Waratah back-to-back could have a massive impact on the race for first place.
Second appearance in the Team of the Week.
JAKUB LUNARZEWSKI
Team: Waratah.
Result: Waratah 5 def. by Cooks Hill 6.
Why: Waratah's clash against Cooks Hill quickly descended into a winger-vs-winger performance as Lunarzewski looked to match McIntyre's impact, with a number of key dodges and sharp counter-eliminations forcing the game to an 11th round decider as the scores were locked at 5-5. Although the 'Tahs couldn't score the win against the Cookers' surge of form, it wasn't through lack of effort from their speedy forward.
Third appearance in the Team of the Week.
Full round wrap: HAMILTON RECLAIM FIRST PLACE WITH 13-0 MASTERCLASS
Season 10 Team of the Weeks: Read Here
Team: Belmont.
Result: Belmont 7 def. Rutherford 6
Why: Watkins may just have put in one of the best performances of the season as she guided her team to a last-gasp victory over Rutherford. Thirteen rounds were played in the 7-6 clash, and Watkins earned 15 catches and a handful of eliminations across the match, and set a new catch-average record for the season. If Watkins can keep her form from the past few weeks up for the middle-point of the season, Belmont could find themselves securing a play-off position before season's end.
First appearance in the Team of the Week.
DAN JENKINSON
Team: Rutherford.
Result: Rutherford 6 def. by Belmont 7.
Why: Often know for his lethal eliminations and dangerous forward throws, Jenkinson once again took the game into his own hands as he ran the offence for the side. It wasn't enough for the victory in the end, but Jenkinson's efforts certainly brought the Rutherford squad within touching distance of the two points. Also showed spadefuls of sportsmanship over the course of the match, keeping his team and himself honest as he stormed to his first Team of the Week appearance.
First appearance in the Team of the Week.
HARRY GIBSON
Team: Hamilton.
Result: Hamilton 13 def. Raymond Terrace nil.
Why: Back to back Team of the Week performances proves a big positive for Hamilton - Gibson is back to earn points in the middle spill of the season. As Hamilton return to the top of the table, the second half of the season may prove a running race between Waratah and the defending champions with who can secure first place for play-offs, and 'Mr Dodgeball's' fiery form could be the difference in the battle.
Second appearance in the Team of the Week.
DOUG BYRNE
Team: Hamilton.
Result: Hamilton 13 def. Raymond Terrace nil.
Why: If Gibson's front-line talents provided the pace for Hamilton in their 13-0 shell-shock victory over the Terrace, Byrne's key catches and long-ranged cannon-shots was the catalyst to closing out matches for the defending champions. Although the opening few points saw Byrne sent early for attempted catches, the fourth round saw things click and he didn't slow down from there - 9 games on the trot he scored eliminations and catches to send Hamilton back to table-topping heights with their point difference.
First appearance in the Team of the Week.
BENJAMIN MCINTYRE
Team: Cooks Hill.
Result: Cooks Hill 6 def. Waratah 5.
Why: The Cookers' captain continued his inspiring form after insipid performances in early weeks, and as the game came down the wire in the 11th round of the match McIntyre continued to prove why he was signed as the franchise player of the club - two wins on the trot is good for any team in the competition, but to down Hamilton and Waratah back-to-back could have a massive impact on the race for first place.
Second appearance in the Team of the Week.
JAKUB LUNARZEWSKI
Team: Waratah.
Result: Waratah 5 def. by Cooks Hill 6.
Why: Waratah's clash against Cooks Hill quickly descended into a winger-vs-winger performance as Lunarzewski looked to match McIntyre's impact, with a number of key dodges and sharp counter-eliminations forcing the game to an 11th round decider as the scores were locked at 5-5. Although the 'Tahs couldn't score the win against the Cookers' surge of form, it wasn't through lack of effort from their speedy forward.
Third appearance in the Team of the Week.
Full round wrap: HAMILTON RECLAIM FIRST PLACE WITH 13-0 MASTERCLASS
Season 10 Team of the Weeks: Read Here