Mackay teen Jaxon Purdue to line up as 18th man for Cutters v Blackhawks clash

The next major milestone may well be just around the corner for this homegrown teen, while Mackay’s coach has revealed how the Cutters can beat the Blackhawks. More here.

Jaxon Purdue. Picture credit: Mackay Cutters Facebook.

Jaxon Purdue turned heads at BB Print Stadium when he ran the length of the field to cross the stripe in February’s NRL trial match.

Now Mackay Cutters coach Michael Comerford has suggested rugby league fans could expect to see the Cowboys-contracted Purdue take to that field in senior football.

It comes after Purdue - who’s still a teenager - inched closer to his Cutters debut, named as the 18th man for this weekend’s bumper clash against the Blackhawks in Townsville.

“It was always going to happen that he was going to make his way into our squad, it was just a matter of when,” said Comerford.

“It was an ideal week with the under-19s having the bye this weekend to get him around the group and prepare him for when that start in our 17 comes.

“In terms of when that start comes I’m not sure, we’ll play it week by week from here.”

Cowboys playmaker Jaxon Purdue on club debut against the Broncos in a 2024 NRL trial match in his hometown, Mackay. Picture: Scott Davis

Comerford noted that given Purdue is based in Townsville, it was the perfect time to give him an opportunity to be around the squad.

“He’s a local kid we’ve got a lot of time for and we can’t wait to see him reach his potential, we’re very lucky to play our part in that,” he said.

“Right across the Queensland Cup teams have to play their role in developing young talent and this is no different.”

Comerford also revealed Purdue had recently begun training full-time with the Cowboys.

“His pathway’s been accelerated a little bit over the past couple of months, there was a bit of hype after the NRL trial game,” he said.

The Cutters are also set to be bolstered by the addition of Thomas Mikaele.

Mikaele put pen to paper with the Cowboys on a development contract ahead of this season, and has 91 games under his belt across the NRL and Super League.

Thomas Mikaele of the Cowboys offloads during the NRL Pre-season challenge match between Canberra Raiders and North Queensland Cowboys. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

His inclusion will see John Radel shift to lock.

“The way we play it will essentially be three front-rowers starting each week,” Comerford said.

“Tom will be a massive addition, he hasn’t had footy for awhile and the main goal for this week will be to get some metres in the legs for when the Cowboys need him.”

As for the key to beating to the Blackhawks, Comerford’s focus in once again firmly fixed on how the Cutters start given the Blackhawks jumped out of the blocks to a 10-0 lead when the sides met in a pre-season trial.

“A real big focus for us against the Falcons was our start and we did that well, we didn’t quite get it right against the Capras,” he said.

“We’ve had a couple of strong second half performances and I’d like to be having that off the back of a strong start as well.

“We’ll be making sure we keep it a tight contest early and put us in a good position.”