Although bursting with talent we’ve found 16 names you should keep an eye on for in the cutters 2023 junior competitions

The Cutters have announced their junior squads after a gruelling pre-season, with some of Mackay’s best league talents facing an opportunity to make a name for themselves on the field.

Jaxon Purdue. Ignatius Park College v St Patrick's College Mackay Confraternity Shield Final July 1 2022. Picture: Max O'Driscoll.

Some of Mackay’s finest junior league stars have been named in the Cutters 2023 development sides, with three teams being announced this season.

The Men's under 16 Cyril Connell challenge, the Under 18 men’s Mal Meninga Cup and the Under 19 women’s Harvey Norman competition are finalised for the new season.

This will not be a first time representing the Cutters at an elite level for many, with some training in the pre-season with North Queensland Cowboys young bucks and guns Academy, and our own BMD women’s side.

Here are the players to watch both this season and beyond.

Men’s Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge:

The under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge squad was rounded out to an even thirty as some of the areas best young talents will look to cement their spot in the Cutters development programs for years to come.

The men’s under 16 competition brings players a chance for high-level elite training environment outside of representing Queensland.

The competition was a launching point for many prominent rugby league careers in the past, and with a full return to competition post-Covid will be invaluable to the squad of 30 selected to represent Mackay.

Keep a watchful eye over Camden Hopes, Kooper Shears, Mark Morrow and Cohen Jackson as they look to lead their side to big victories in 2023.

Men’s Under 18 Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup:

The Men's Under 18 Man Meninga Cup squad will be ready to take on a strong competition with members of the squad working alongside the North Queensland Cowboy Young Guns program this pre-season.

This year’s side for the Mal Meninga cup is filled with young players in the final stages of their junior careers, and as such will be looking to make their mark and impress selectors for local and national level senior teams.

In the pre-season, some from the squad participated as part of the North Queensland Cowboys Young Bucks and Young Guns programs, which saw them work alongside industry professionals taking away valuable skills and insights into the elites of the game.

Jaxon Purdue is one to watch in this seasons Mal Meninga cup after inking his first NRL development contract with the North Queensland Cowboys in 2022

Headlined by Liam Doherty (Young guns) and Kayne Smith (Young bucks) the side also consists of a variety of talent to watch throughout the season such as Kai Simon, Matthew Watts, Xavier Kerrisk, Jaxon Purdue and Will Shears.

All names listed above are ones on the watch list of NRL clubs with some apart of the recent merger of the Cowboys and local schools St Patricks.

Under 19 Harvey Norman Women’s competition:

The 2023 Mackay Cutters Under 19 Harvey Norman women's squad has been revealed as the side looks to capitalise on a strong list of women this season.

The Cutters under-19 women’s outfit is one of the strongest in the competition and will benefit from the return of Players’ Player award winner Lily Peacock.

Joining Peacock as a returning favourite is Lara Hutchinson, who was a key player for the side in 2022 and will be looking to capitalise on last year’s teachings.

Three stars who trained alongside the inaugural BMD women’s side this pre-season will also look to put their newest skills to the test.

Under 19's squad member Kayla Shepherd is one of three women in this side who have trained with the BMD premiers women's team during the pre-season.

Lillby Sueha, Emily Bella and Kayla Shepperd have all benefited greatly from their time with the premier side and will look to capitalise on this advantage in the upcoming season.