Over the 16 rounds of the FTG&P Men’s Premiership, and the ANZAC Challenge, a team of the week was selected from the 6 premiership clubs, by the coaches/clubs of those teams based on their club’s 3/2/1 selection along with some input from the referee votes, when required.
118 players were selected at least once in the team of the week across the 17 weeks we played here in WA and there were some great players amongst those named.
This in no way will influence the Ken Allen Medal or Team of the Year votes.
But since we are at the end of the year, what would the Team look like if it was just based on the entries into the team of the week? We have a look at this now.
Be advised, we have tried to get the players with the most votes in the side. So have taken liberties as to where outside backs, and some forwards have fit into the squad. Its not perfect, but its at least got some justification.
Fullback – Kainoa Gudgeon – Willagee Bears – 9 Selections
We start with the fullback of the squad, and its the maestro at the back for the Bears. Although he did poll some votes at Five-Eight this year, the mercurial man at the back for the red and blacks was a menace to defences all season, with his ability to turn it on from anywhere on the pitch. An equal highest selection player.
Notable Options – Bailey Millar (4), Travis Haney (3), Harry Debique (3), Kerrod Hignett (3), Lincoln Williams (3), Manfred Kelly (3)
Wing – Bailey Millar – North Beach Sea Eagles – 4 Selections
On one wing its the fullback from North Beach, who we are putting on the wing, and similar to the state team, he is pushed to the wing because of Gudgeons performances. An electric speedster, Bailey is adept on the wing or fullback as a out and out try scorer.
Wing – John Leota – Willagee Bears – 4 Selections
Yes he isn’t a winger. But in terms of outside backs, he has the votes at centre/outside backs, and deserves a place in this team. The rampaging centre was a terror for opposition defences and may be one of the hardest players to mark one on one.
Notable Options – Travis Haney (3), Jaylen Grey (3), Meli Arthur (3), Ryan Woolley (3)
Centre – Eli Beattie – Fremantle Roosters – 7 Selections
Eli Beattie was the most dominant outside back in the competition, who is not a fullback, and I don’t think thats in dispute. A devastating mark, who is fast, strong and has footwork and fitness to back it up. I don’t think anyone is surprised here.
Centre – Roydon Gillett – North Beach Sea Eagles – 5 Selections
Roydon is adaptable at second row or centre and is a defensive genius. Always getting the hard marks out on the edge, he is steady, trustworthy, and later in the season has found some serious try scoring form. A reliable and dangerous player at his best.
Notable Options – Jaylen Grey (3), Ryan Woolley (3), Kerrod Hignett (3), Logan Barclay (3)
Five-Eight – Samisoni Langi – South Perth Lions – 9 Selections
The five-eight or stand-off was an easy one for anyone who had seen the teams coming through. Langi was the linchpin for the Lions this year. A dominant player on the field, his running and passing game was a sight to behold and a danger on the right edge for the Lions all season. An equal highest selection player.
Notable Options – Sonny Kerr (4), Crockett Henry (3), David Quinlan (3), Delane Edwards (3), Tamaho Teirney (3)
Halfback – Jeremy Wallace – North Beach Sea Eagles – 6 Selections
The halfback with the most votes was also a standout, in the Sea Eagles main man Jeremy Wallace. Blessed with great pace, a great passing game and game management, Wallace is a stand out for the Beach on most days.
Notable Options – Sonny Kerr (4), Crockett Henry (3), David Quinlan (3), Delane Edwards (3), Tamaho Teirney (3), Harry Debique (3)
Prop – Chris Siddons – Rockingham Sharks – 9 Selections
“Siddo” was the lone ranger for the Rockingham Sharks in alot of games this year. All effort and a massive engine to go along with great footy IQ, he toiled all season long for the Sharks and is duly rewarded with a share of the most selections with Gudgeon and Langi.
Prop – Mason Hiko – South Perth Lions – 6 Selections
In a team full of big forwards and some strong recruits, it was Hiko who emerged week after week as the leader of the pack. Tough and uncomprimising, his work ethic and ability to get through big minutes was on show every week. One of the FIFO players on this list, it shows his quality to get this many selections.
Notable Options – Emmanuel Maliko (3), Jack Bullard (3), Jackson Hansen (3), Kade Breen (3), Malakai Chan Boon (3), Weylan Antonelli (3)
Hooker – Kobi Aiesi – North Beach Sea Eagles – 7 Selections
In one of the more hotly contested positions, its the Sea Eagles dummy half who takes the prize. Also the state hooker, Aiesi is a threat from anywhere on the field, and is stronger than he looks. Capable of playing at lock and in the halves, he has a great pass and can kick if required.
Notable Options – Jarrad Whitty (5), River Colman (5), Taurean Sheehan (5), Jayden Evans (4), Jaydon Solomon (4)
Second Row – Daniel Green – South Perth Lions – 6 Selections
The evergreen “Mr Green” just continues to get better with age. A consistent player in team of the week, its his ultra consistency, fitness and ability to fight all the way through to the final whistle that has earnt the respect of his peers on and off the field.
Second Row – Ezra Taomia – Fremantle Roosters – 5 Selections
The state co-captain is in the words of his coaches “the first player picked” and its easy to see why. Even with a heavy FIFO schedule, Ezra constantly found his way onto the team of the week, with his footwork, strength and ability to jam ball runners.
Notable Options – Billy England (4), Brad Sparrow (4), Kalum Gulliver Brown (4), John Leota (4), Rihare Te Rauna (3)
Lock – River Colman – Joondalup Giants – 5 Selections
Another of those players with a heavy FIFO schedules, River was basically the best player for the Joondalup Giants every time he took the field. While there were a couple of players with similar vote ranges, he started in the 13 more than them, and gets the nod, with Green above shifted to the second row.
Notable Options – Jarrad Whitty (5), Taurean Sheehan (5), Billy England (4), Kalum Gulliver Brown (4), Rangi Thompson (3), Rihare Te Rauna (3)
Interchange – Jarrad Whitty – Rockingham Sharks – 5 Selections
Yet another of those players with a heavy FIFO work part. Ask anyone down in Rockingham, and Whitty has got massive wraps. A strong hooker, with massive work rate and game IQ in the stratosphere, he basically made the team of the week every time he played.
Interchange – Taurean Sheehan – Joondalup Giants – 5 Selections
Another of the older crew, Taurean is an ultimate competitor who still has the respect of all the teams he plays against. Comfortable at hooker, lock or in the halves, he still manages to get it done, even playing injured for alot of the season.
Interchange – Kelvin Coleman – Willagee Bears – 4 Selections (6 Games)
Okay now we had to come up with a way to pick the final spots on this team. While we could have picked some forwards or come up with a real bench, it was really about the votes. So we went with the amount of selections, versus the games played. And the utility from the Willagee Bears gets the nod. With 4 selections from 6 games played, he grabs the third bench spot.
Interchange – Tyron Cranston – North Beach Sea Eagles – 4 Selections (5 Games)
Yep, the double Ken Allen Medal winner has played 5 games this year, and his game sense, ball playing ability and general attacking flair meant he was picked 80% of the time. Which is a pretty astounding number. Brilliant and deadly, Cranston has still got it.
18th Man – Sonny Kerr – Fremantle Roosters – 4 Selections (8 Games)
And the last spot on the roster goes to the Roosters main playmaker in Sonny Kerr. Its no secret the Roosters are a much better side when he is a part of it. His ability to be a part of the Roosters final charge will have a big impact on their side.
Unlucky Misses
Well there were some players who were unlucky to miss out, we let the selections speak for themselves. Billy England, Bradley Sparrow and Kalum Gulliver Brown can consider themselves doubly unlucky as they all finished on 4 votes, all play in the back row spots, and all play for North Beach Sea Eagles.
While Jayden Evans and Jaydon Solomon were also both on 4 votes, but finished behind other hookers in what was a very tight race for the 9 jumper and those bench positions.
Anyway that’s the team. And its a very good side no matter which way you look at it. With some serious finals rugby league to go its time to sit back and marvel at some of the great talent we have in our game.
