Mackay Cutters to play Burleigh Bears in BMD Cup semi-finals

The powerhouse women's team are gearing up to battle the Bears with the head coach confident they can make it to the finals.

Marco Peters will prepare to take the reigns for the first time in a BMD cup finals campaign as his side looks set to tackle the Burleigh Bears for the third straight season. Picture: Mitchell Dyer

It has been an intense debut season for the Cutters women's team but head coach Marco Peters has led them to the playoffs in their first-ever BMD Cup campaign.

They face a tough challenge ahead going up against the Burleigh Bears in the knockout stage in Brisbane on Sunday.

While the Cutters have faced the Bears before, while still under the Gold Stars banner, this year is the first time the two teams meet in the playoffs.

Squad captain Emma Manzelmann has been a rock for the Cutters side in 2023, and will look to play a major role in the side’s potential success this weekend. Picture: Mackay Cutters

Peters said he was treating each week as a fresh challenge and was focusing on what could be controlled.

Despite losing to the South Logan Magpies in a scrappy affair the weekend before, Peters believes his players will benefit from losing to the league leaders.

He remains proud of his talented squad and is confident they have what it takes to go all the way.

“We're in a really good space,” Peters said.

“We’re hoping to get that (finals) opportunity.

“But all our focus at the moment is against the Bears this weekend.

“We want to throw the ball around.

“What we do, (because) we get a bit excited … we break the line and tackle so easily.”

The team will go to camp on Saturday, ready to play the semi-final match on Sunday and clinch their spot in the next round.