Mackay Brothers sign BRL player of the year Brad Campbell

Mackay Brothers have snapped up the BRL’s player of the year. Discover how they lured him north.

Brad Campbell has signed with Mackay Brothers for the 2024 season. Picture: Srama Rugby League Recruitment Facebook.

They say life’s better in the tropics.

Brad Campbell will certainly be hoping that’s the case.

Fresh off a dominant Brisbane Rugby League campaign that saw him tie for the coveted player of the year, the Normanby Hounds captain has made the move north to link with Mackay Brothers.

But why the switch?

“He’s obviously looking to make an impression to get himself into the Cutters system,” said Brothers coach Tom Heggie.

“He’ll start out with us early next year and then from there it’s up to how he performs.”

New Zealand-born Campbell made the move to Australia several years ago in pursuit of his professional rugby league dream, spending time with Norths Devils in Brisbane.

He’s previously played Hastings Deering Colts, and was also involved in the Ipswich Jets system.

Heggie, who is one of just three A-grade coaches continuing into next season, likened Campbell’s recruitment to that of Josh Honan this time last year, who would go on to earn a Cutters debut in round 11, and hasn’t looked back since.

Brad Campbell took home the BRL's Player of the Year award. Picture: Brisbane Rugby League Facebook.

“We do try and use (the Cutters) as a bit of a carrot,” said Heggie.

“We sort of tell guys there’s a pathway there and we seem to be able to get players into our club from that.

“We’re more than happy to do that, we obviously push players to play the highest level we can, and if we can help them out in some way then we’re happy to do so.”

Heggie was particularly excited by the running and kicking game which Campbell possessed.

“From the vision that I’ve seen he looks to be quite elusive,” he said.

“He’s a really strong defender, he’s a real competitor, it’s something I was quite attracted to when I saw the footage.

“He’s still quite young, he’s only 23 or 24, he’s got a lot of footy in front of him but he’s played at a high level and from all reports he’s a really good young man.

“It ticked all the boxes for us.”

Campbell becomes the latest high-profile player to join Rugby League Mackay and District ahead of 2024, after it was revealed that Ben Barba had signed with Sarina.

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