Five players to watch in Mackay’s sports finals on the weekend

From rugby league to Australian rules and basketball, plenty of seasons are on the line this weekend. Here are five key players to watch.

Zoe Cook in the Magpies and Moranbah clash in the RLMD women's semi finals, 22 August 2021. Picture: Marty Strecker

Whatever the sport may be, the finals is where champions stamp their authority and make their mark.

With winter sports beginning to wrap up their seasons, teams are preparing for their final charge for premiership glory.

Here are Mackay’s five players to watch in this weekend’s action.

Matthew Skaife – Mackay Brothers

Brothers fullback and captain was strong in his side’s defeat at the hands of Sarina in the second week of finals.

Fresh off a bye, Brothers succumbed to the Sarina outfit’s brute strength, conceding a 16-4 scoreline halftime.

Matthew Skaife during the Brothers and Wests Tigers clash in the RLMD semi finals, August 22, 2021. Picture: Marty Strecker

Skaife led from behind, directing his team into correct formation and flying courageously for sky balls, but a second-half run was not enough for Brothers to seal a memorable comeback.

With a strong Wests outfit on Sunday, Skaife will be required to put in another strong performance to book his side into a grand final.

The Brothers will play Wests at 3pm on Sunday at RLMD Field 5.

Cayla George – Mackay Meteorettes

Mackay’s very own Olympian is returning to the floor, and she could not have timed her run any better.

The tall forward finished two weeks of quarantine in Brisbane on Sunday, and will suit up for the Meteorettes for the first time in more than two months.

Cayla George (L) and Chelsea Brook are a strong duo for Mackay Meteorettes. Picture: Matthew Forrest

George has been dominant on the floor for the Meteorettes, averaging 22.4 points, 16.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.

While George is a traditional four, she has the ability to spread the floor with strong three-point shooting, while also giving her defenders headaches in the low post.

Australia's Cayla George has returned from Opals duty and will play an important role in Mackay’s quarter final against Sunshine Coast Picture: Aris Messinis – AFP

Sunshine Coast Phoenix will line up tall against Mackay on Saturday, with the Meteorettes expected to play George alongside Skye Rees and Chelsea Brook for the majority of the match.

Whatever the rotation, George’s success on both the offensive and defensive ends will be pivotal to Mackay’s chances of securing victory.

The Meteorettes will play Sunshine Coast Phoenix at 6pm on Saturday at the Crater.

Ben Barba – Eastern Swans

The former Dally M Medallist proved he was more than a rugby league star when he crossed codes into Australian rules football.

Barba has been a star for the Swans this season, winning the league’s goalkicking award with 63 goals in 11 matches.

The fullback-turned-full forward has kicked seven goals or more in six of his matches, including a season best 11 goals.

Ben Barba made his senior Aussie rules debut for Eastern Swans at the weekend. He kicked seven goals in Reserve Grade and backed it up with six more majors in A-Grade. Photo: Callum Dick

Barba kicked six and eight goals against Whitsunday, his upcoming opponent, in the two matches this season.

Finding the perfect match-up for Barba will be a difficult job, and a key to slowing down the star forward in the first week of the league’s finals.

The Swans will play Whitsunday Sea Eagles at 3.30pm on Saturday at Rogers Oval.

Zoe Cook – Mackay Magpies

The superstar second rower for the Magpies was dominant in the side’s elimination final win over Moranbah.

The Gold Star scored a try and converted twice in the four-point win, and will be instrumental in the Magpies chances against Carltons on Sunday.

Zoe Cook in the Magpies and Moranbah clash in the RLMD women‘s semi finals, August 22, 2021. Picture: Marty Strecker

The strong forward powers her way through tacklers, while also being agile to dance around opponents, and will provide the Devils with a headache on Sunday.

The winner of that match will progress to the grand final, and Cook is expected to be an important piece to Mackay’s chances.

The Magpies will play Carltons Devils at 1.15pm on Sunday at RLMD Field 5.

Kai Simon – Wanderers U16s

Wanderers enjoyed a strong win over counterparts Sarina at the weekend, and Simon was an important player for the victors.

The centre put his head down and forced his way through multiple tackles, gaining valuable metres and providing the Wanderers with a battering ram.

Kai Simon in the Sarina and Wanderers clash in the RLMD U16s semi final, August 21, 2021. Picture: Marty Strecker

Wanderers will play Magpies in a preliminary final, with Simon expected to line up against Henry Thorpe.

The two young superstars play alongside each other for St Patrick’s College, but will be a tantalising match up for spectators.

The Wanderers will play Mackay Magpies at 1.30pm on Saturday at RLMD Field 5.