Cutters win second game in three weeks, growing in confidence

A shift in attitude has led to a more confident Cutters side, with coach Michael Crawley noting three reasons for the change in fortunes.

Adam Cook (from left) and Kai O'Donnell have signed with Mackay Cutters after they were released from Canberra Raiders. Picture: Matthew Forrest

A shift in attitude and culture is happening right in front of the departing Cutters coach’s eyes after two wins in three strong performances.

Michael Crawley will leave his position in Mackay at the end of the season, but not before setting up his squad to be as successful as possible heading into 2022.

He said it was important for the club to renew its faith in the young players who were making leaps in their progression as footballers.

“A strong end to the season will tell the club the young guys are progressing and it is a chance that next year the group of players will be 20 year olds with 19 games of Queensland Cup football under their belt,” Crawley said.

“It’d be nice for everyone involved in the club to finish the season on a good note with a few victories.

“They believe in themselves now.”

Kai O'Donnell at Mackay Cutters training. July 20, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

The Cutters are fresh off a 40-30 win against PNG Hunters, which is the second win in three matches for the club.

Crawley said debutants Adam Cook, Kai O’Donnell and Garrett Smith’s experience in the NRL helped shift the attitude when Mackay was down to the Hunters.

“You could tell the class of the guys and that they are used to winning, you could tell that at the end of the game,” he said.

“Their talk at half time was about what we could do to win the game rather than what was going wrong.

“They’re all the same age as the other guys and they’re local boys too, so the guys watch them prepare and see what they do, and know they can do the same.”

With the NRL bubble set to end on Wednesday, Crawley said he expected some North Queensland Cowboys to be available for selection against Redcliffe.

“There’s a chance we get some Cowboys back but I know they’re pretty hit with injuries so I think the numbers will be very slim for us,” he said.

“I’m really happy with the group we’ve got at the moment, Redcliffe will be a really good test for us and we’ve got some confidence to go out and get a positive result.”