Mackay Cutters to spend first round away from home

Mackay Cutters fans will have to wait until the second round of the 2023 QRL season to see both of their teams in action at home, with the season start date confirmed.

Mackay Cutters fans will have to wait for the second round of the 2023 QRL season to see their women’s team make their competition debut.

The Queensland Rugby League has released the full draw for the 2023 Hostplus Cup (men) and BMD Premiership (women) competitions.

The first round of both competitions is locked in for March 11.

Both Cutters sides travel to take on Wynnum Manly Seagulls in their season opener at Kougari Oval.

In round two, the Cutters women host the Tweed Seagulls at BB Print Stadium while the men host Northern Pride.

Jasmine Peters with coach, and dad, Marco and Emma Manzelmann at the announcement of the Mackay Cutters’ BMD Premiership team.

The Cutters will have three consecutive rounds of Hostplus games at the stadium in Paget, against Northern Pride (Cairns, Townsville Blackhawks and the CQ Capras).

The addition of the Western Clydesdales in the Cup will also add a bye round with 15 teams in the draw.

The Premiership remains an eight-team competition after the Cutters took over from the North Queensland Gold Stars and the North Devils came in for West Brisbane Panthers.

QRL competitions manager Dave Maiden said fresh coaching signings would add a new twist to the season.

“We’ve had some massive change over the off-season with new coaches coming into roles, so that’s going to unveil different styles, which is always exciting,” he told the QRL website.

“The Hostplus Cup has a proven track record of helping coaches and players achieve their goals of progressing to the National Rugby League.

“This year alone there were 13 players who made the transition to the NRL and that is an achievement the rugby league community can all be proud of.”

Two-time premiers Norths Devils will be guided by Dave Elliott, who joined them from the Cutters.

The QRL confirmed that the Cup grand final will be played at Redcliffe, in Brisbane, on September 16-17, 2023.