Mahe Fonua set to bolster Mackay Cutters as they look to bounce back from rough season
The Cutters have signed an international star who has more than 200 combined NRL and Super League appearances. Here is why coach Michael Comerford is so excited.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Mackay Cutters have landed a major recruiting coup, securing the services of Tongan international Mahe Fonua for the next two seasons.
Fonua will bring a plethora of experience to Mackay, with 131 Super League games, 71 NRL games, and six internationals for Tonga under his belt.
Fonua was most recently playing with Castleford Tigers in England’s Super League.
Coach Michael Comerford revealed the move came about thanks to Fonua’s “longstanding connection” with current Cutters CEO Mitch Cook and head of football Kim Williams, which date back to Fonua’s under-20 days at the Melbourne Storm.
“That’s where it started and that connection led to conversations starting, Mahe’s at a point in his career where he’s looking to come back to Australia so it all kind of matched up well,” Comerford said.
“The Cutters ended up being the place that could offer him and his family - well for him the on-field opportunities - but the chance to set themselves up away from professional footy.”
As for what 30-year-old Fonua will bring to the Cutters, Comerford is most excited by his experience.
“There’s definitely been a void in our squad this year with that top-end experience not coming back this year,” he said.
“That’s one area that we’ve identified that we needed to bolster up, just having guys that have been through year in year out footy at a higher level and that’s what Mahe’s going to bring for us.”
Comerford also believes Fonua will be a valuable asset to Mackay’s style of play.
“Specifically, that power out wide, having a power game in the outside backs, and a try-scoring ability is something that’s invaluable at any level of footy,” he said.
“(Fonua brings) strong yardage carry out of our own end, that’s a massive part of the game at the moment, something we’ll definitely be looking for from him.
“He’s got a pretty high try-scoring strike rate as well.
“Our attack has struggled at times this year, just with the ability to occasionally have that moment of individual brilliance or power that can get us over the line, that’s definitely something he’s built his game around, scoring from kicks and close-range and finishing tries.”
It’s been a tough Queensland Cup season for the Cutters, who have yielded just two wins from 18 games.
Comerford revealed there’s going to be a big off-season focus on stability and player retention.
The services of second-rower Hiale Roycroft have already been secured for a further two seasons.
“It’s been a pretty disrupted three or four year period for a lot of these players, with Covid, the Cutters have had a pretty high turnover of coaching staff, players,” Comerford said.
“To finally have a chance to build on something, have stability around the club is a huge opportunity.”
“To be able to announce someone of Mahe’s calibre coming to the club at this time of year shows that things are heading in a positive direction.”
‘Spur of the moment’: How a First Nations dance group from Mackay won on the big stage
A spur of the moment decision has led to the best outcome imaginable for the Mackay Torres Strait Islander Cultural Group which won DanceRites 2024 in Sydney.
‘Emotions were high’: Mellon helps Aussies to Masters Hockey glory
In an emotional return home, Mackay hockey player Chané Mellon has helped to lift Australia to victory at the women’s over-35s hockey world championships in South Africa.