Mackay Cutters prepare for Cyril Connell Cup grand final vs Burleigh Bears
Mackay Cutters are preparing for a huge showdown with Burleigh Bears in the Cyril Connell Cup grand final. Find out what the coaches behind the scenes have to say.
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Mackay Cutters’ junior program will be hoping to add another huge notch to its belt this Saturday when their Cyril Connell Cup side takes on Burleigh Bears at Langlands Park in the grand final.
After handling their business with a thoroughly convincing 40-10 win over Sunshine Coast Falcons, the Cutters will now come face-to-face with the team that finished on top of the ladder at the conclusion of the seven-week season.
“It’s a really pleasing result, but overall it’s just been a great year four junior rep sides,” Cutters Head of Junior Male Pathways Andy Battaia said.
“We had the under-19 girls make it through to the semi-finals and sadly lose on the weekend, and our Mal Meninga side looks likely to finish top two, overall it’s been a great season.
“Every game has been a battle for these sides, whenever you’re up and about like our teams have been your opposition can zero in on it being a critical game for them.”
Battaia said they were certainly well aware of the challenge posed by a talented Bears outfit, but maintained that the Cutters squad was up for the fight and capable of winning.
“It’s a strong side and there’s some really talented playmakers among it,” he said.
“I think when you look at this side and at the Mal Meninga team, there’s a lot of boys there that I think you can expect to line up in the Hostplus Cup side.
“Even this year, Adam (Cuthbertson, Cutters Hostplus Cup coach) has invited some of our under-19s players to train with the HPC team, which has been really good for those guys.
“They’ve looked right at home.”
Cuthbertson echoed the sentiments of his colleague, saying it boded well for the future of the team he’s overseeing.
“There was a clear focus at the beginning of the year on aligning the grades from the juniors on up, and it’s really pleasing to see what’s going in the junior rep program, and it just creates a more healthy environment for the club as a whole.”
The Cyril Connell Cup grand final kicks off at noon on Saturday.
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