Kenny Edwards and Riley Dean join Mahe Fonua at the Cutters

The Cutters have poached two talents from an English Super League club following their earlier acquisition of Mahe Fonua. All the details.

After a testing year, a renewed sense of optimism has settled over BB Print Stadium, and with good reason.

Following last week’s announcement that the partnership between the Cowboys and the Cutters would be reinvigorated, Mackay’s Hostplus Cup side has now completed its triumvirate of boom signings from England.

The signature of Tongan international centre Mahe Fonua was confirmed in early August.

Second-rower Kenny Edwards and playmaker Riley Dean have now also committed to the Cutters.

Mahe Fonua playing for Wests Tigers. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

The trio’s connection? The Castleford Tigers, a club that competes in England’s Super League.

Fonua spent a season and a half with the Tigers before he was released midway through 2023, while Edwards spent the past two seasons there (one on loan).

Dean, who was contracted to Warrington, was loaned to Castleford for the second-half of 2023 and registered four appearances.

Edwards will bring an abundance of experience to the Cutters, having notched 70 NRL games with the Parramatta Eels between 2013 and 2018.

Kenny Edwards in his Eels days. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

He then spent a further six seasons in the Super League, where he registered 110 games.

“I’ve got a bit of a skip in my step for the first time in a while,” Edwards said of arriving at the Cutters.

“I feel excited about coming to work, I feel excited about playing, knowing that I'll be rubbing shoulders with kids that are probably on their journey to the NRL.”

Edwards’ connection with the Cutters stems back to his time at the Huddersfield Giants, where current head of football Kim Williams was the Academy coach.

Williams described Edwards as a “very big fish” for the Cutters.

He also spoke of the necessity to get a senior leader into the playing group, which he believes is a void Edwards can fill.

“He’s very proactive in wanting to help out at all levels of the club,” Williams said.

“He approached me about getting involved and helping out the young guys in a mentoring role … I find that an outstanding quality from a senior player to put himself in that position.”

The 34-year-old, who had been longing for a move back to Australia, revealed he had an opportunity to return to the NRL last season, but declined.

“The main reason was because I wouldn’t have the time,” Edwards said.

“You don’t get time to do anything away from footy to make yourself a life after footy.”

New signing Kenny Edwards (left) with Cutters Head of Football Kim Williams (right). The pair previously crossed paths at the Huddersfield Giants. Picture: Mitch Bourke.

With a keen eye on developing the next generation, Edwards is also hungry to make a strong impact on the field himself.

“I want to earn my spot here and earn the respect of the playing group and the coaches,” he said.

“I have that winning hunger. I’m a sore loser, I hate losing, I hate losing to my kids at anything.”

While both Edwards and Fonua are set to bring experience and leadership to the club, 22-year-old Dean will bring raw talent.

Dean, who was the back-up option for George Williams at Warrington, has registered 43 Super League appearances.

He was also in Ireland’s squad for the 2021 World Cup qualifiers, and previously captained the country’s under-16 side.

“He’s an exciting talent,” Cutters head coach Michael Comerford said.

“He’s had a taste of Super League over there and he’ll be coming over here to fight for a spot with us.

“He wants to make the most of his footy career and progress as much as he can, and the first step of his journey in Australia will be with us.

“Excited to have him on board.”