Cutters search for their first win of the season against the Bears in round nine of Hostplus Cup

The Mackay Cutters have had a tough start to the season, but they'll be hoping to turn things around when they take on the second-placed Burleigh Bears in round nine of the Hostplus Cup.

The Cutters will need some gang pressure and high velocity tackling when they face the Burleigh Bears this weekend, with a chance to truly kick start their season with a big win. Picture: Martin Strecker

Get ready for a showdown between two very different teams as the Mackay Cutters gear up to take on the Burleigh Bears in round nine of the Hostplus Cup.

The Cutters are sitting in second-last place on the ladder, yet they have a chance to turn things around with a win against the second-placed Bears.

It’s sure to be a thrilling match, with both teams bringing their A-game to the field.

The Cutters have had a rough start to the season, with eight losses and zero wins. But they‘re not letting their dismal record get them down.

First-year coach Mick Comerford and his men are determined to make their mark and they know that a victory against the Bears would be the perfect place to start.

The Cutters have faced the Bears ten times before, winning only twice.

One of those victories came in round 18 of last season, when Kyle Krisanski-Kennedy sealed victory with a game-winning try in the 75th minute.

The Cutters will be hoping to repeat that success this time around, and they’ll need all hands on deck to do it.

The Bears, on the other hand, have been having a great season so far with six wins and only one loss.

One of the leading try scorers in the competition this season, the Cutters will look for Flynn Camilleri to continue his dominance with the ball this weekend. Picture: Martin Strecker

They’re a team that’s built on defence, with big man Pat Politoni leading the charge to protect their line.

But they’re not just about defence – speedster Tony Francis and full back Keano Kini are both dangerous runners who can break through the opposition’s defence and run the length of the field if given the chance.

The Cutters will be looking to their star player Flyn Camilleri to lead the way in attack. He‘s scored six tries so far this season and has become one of the most reliable scorers in the league.

Schneider, who has spent time with the Cowboys this season will be integral to the formation of the Cutters in trying to keep out and slow down the run of some of the Bears best ball users. Picture: Martin Strecker

And with Cowboys-listed gun Kyle Schneider joining the side, they’ve got a solid defence as well – he’s currently the second highest tackle count on the season.

It‘s sure to be a war of attrition out there on the field, with both teams giving it their all to come out on top.

The Cutters will need to break through the Bears’ defence if they want to put some points on the board, while the Bears will be doing everything in their power to force errors and keep the pressure high.

Despite the difference in their rankings, this game could be closer than you think. The average winning margin across the last ten years is less than two tries, so there’s every chance that the Cutters could pull off an upset and get their first win of the season.