Mackay Cutters relax with fans after beating Capras 34-16

On a lazy Sunday morning at the Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Complex, Mackay’s rugby heroes met with young fans to sign jerseys and bask in the glow of an impressive win over Rockhampton. Here’s what fans had to say about meeting their footy idols.

Fresh from an impressive 34-16 win over in-form arch rivals the Central Queensland Capras, Mackay Cutters coach Dave Elliott reckons his men still have a chance to make it to the finals of the Hostplus Cup, though he admits it will be a “tough road ahead”.

“It was a really good win last night,” he said, adding that derby victories over Townsville and Rockhampton were always particularly sweet.

Mr Elliott and the Cutters players met on Sunday morning to talk with fans in a community ‘meet-and-greet’, something Mr Elliott said was important to build “goodwill” in the region.

“It has been great here this morning,” he said.

“Mackay’s a proud sporting region. It is very tight-knit.

“People you meet, they are very welcoming and welcoming to new families.”

Nine-year-old Barney Dixon watches the Cutters nearly every time they play at home and went along to the meet-up to see his team up close.

“I wanted to see the team,” he said.

“I like when they tackle.

He added he hoped to play rugby league for Queensland one day.

James Henderson attended his first Cutters game on Saturday night and said it was “super fun”.

“The Mackay Cutters won,” he said with excitement.

Cutters Captain Ross Bella spent the morning swimming with his daughters in the pool and said giving back to the community was a core part of the club’s identity.

“We are a community club, a young club too,” he said.

“It is important to interact and lay a pathway for other young kids.”

Mr Bella was “born and bred” in Mackay and played rugby in the region as a teenager.

“I loved playing for my junior club,” he said.