Kenny Edwards signs with Magpies after release from Cutters, scores on debut

Magpies president Damian Smith spoke glowingly of new signing Kenny Edwards following his release from the Cutters. More here.

Kenny Edwards. Picture: Mackay Cutters Facebook.

Kenny Edwards was one of four former NRL players to feature in a high-calibre clash between Magpies and Sarina in the opening round of the Rugby League Mackay and District season.

Edwards started at centre for Magpies in their 26-20 A-grade triumph, having put pen to paper on a contract with the club on the Friday afternoon leading into the weekend.

It came after he was officially released from the Mackay Cutters in the days prior. The Cutters refused to explain why and stated it was a mutual decision to part ways.

Despite signing with the club just 48 hours earlier, Edwards wasn’t a new face at Magpies given they were already his allocated local club when he was with the Cutters and he’d been training with them in the weeks prior.

Damian Smith (left) and Scott Thorburn (right) following the Magpies' premiership triumph in 2023. The club has undergone a significant period of transition since, with nine players leaving and Hep Cahill taking over as head coach. Picture: Supplied.

“Kenny’s going to be a good addition for our club, he’s a good talker,” said Magpies president Damian Smith.

“We’ve had quite a baptism of fire with new people coming to the club and quite a few Cutters which makes it a little bit clunky at times,” he continued, noting Magpies had lost nine players from its premiership-winning side over the off-season.

“Kenny’s a really good talker … he just kept doing what he’d already been doing with his talking and leadership.

“You know what you’re gonna get with Kenny, he’s got a good relationship with Hep (Cahill, head coach) and all the senior boys … he’s played with those guys at a higher level so it was an easy transition for him to come to our club.”

Smith said he had no concerns or apprehensions about signing Edwards - who was released by three separate NRL clubs over the course of his career - following his release from the Cutters.

“With Kenny what you see is what you get,” said Smith.

“Our club holds high values and I don’t think there would be too many rugby league clubs that haven’t had players with indiscretions along the road, the game’s not full of accountants.

“We do our best to make sure that our brand isn’t disrespected and we’re representing Magpies members, and that goes right through from myself all the way through to our playing group and our staff.

“We’ve got the same expectations and that’s no different to Kenny or a 17-year-old that’s playing under-20s. We take a lot of pride in our behaviour on and off the field.”

Smith also spoke glowingly about the work Edwards had been doing outside of his playing commitments following the establishment of his ‘League Kings Academy’.

“The stuff that he’s doing off the field is second to none,” said Smith, noting the academy also offered positions to juniors facing financial hardship.

Kenny Edwards in his NRL days with the Parramatta Eels. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“There’s a lot of good that Kenny’s doing for the right reasons … he’s passionate about it, he could talk you underwater with it.”

Smith also noted that Edwards’ son was playing juniors with Magpies, and that he had been turning up to the club’s junior trainings to offer coaching and advice from under-9s through to under-16s.

“He’s not just turned up on our doorstep like everyone says,” said Smith.

“He’s a part of the club, we’ve got a good roster and he fits into that really well.

“We’re always trying to be better as a club and that comes in all different types … he knows what he’s talking about.”

Despite his round one start at centre, Edwards is expected to shift into the more familiar forward pack as his match fitness improves. He also crossed the stripe for a 43rd minute try.

“We probably expect him to move into an edge back-rower out there for us, I’m sure he’ll be happy to blow some cobwebs out from not playing footy since he’s been in town,” said Smith

“It was a really good, entertaining day of community rugby league.”

He was also impressed by the performance of Magpies’ five-eighth Corey Shepherd who had previously been in the Cutters under-21s.

“It was a good game by both teams,” said Smith.

“We blew a lot of chances but at the end of the day it’s the team you play against that makes you blow those chances.”