Meet the Mackay players named in QLD State of Origin team for 2022

Billy Slater has unveiled his first team as Maroons coach and his starting line-up features five former Mackay boys. Take our poll to help decide who is Mackay’s greatest ever Origin star?

Five former Mackay boys have made Queensland’s starting 13 for the State of Origin opener in Sydney next week.

Former Sarina Croc Reuben Cotter was one of four debutants announced in Billy Slater’s first side as Maroons coach.

Cotter joins Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans, starting fullback Kalyn Ponga, centre Dane Gagai, and half Tom Dearden as the players with Mackay origins to be selected.

Cotter and Cherry-Evans have even closer ties, both playing their junior footy at the Crocs.

Sarina Crocs president Rick Goode said Cotter’s selection was “great news”.

Reuben Cotter makes a break for the Cowboys before scoring a try during their round 10 match against the Wests Tigers. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

“It’s always good to see juniors of the town and of the club virtually find the highest level of football they can get to,” he said.

Goode said the club recognised Cotter’s immense talent from a young age and could recall that he “always seemed to be playing up a grade”.

“He left here at a young age to go to the Cowboys but he did play in an Under-18 grand final for us which unfortunately we lost,” Goode said.

“As all the experts are saying now, he plays hard and never gives up and you could see that a young age.

“He just kept on going and was always a competitor and that is exactly what he is doing now and that’s what has got him to where he is today.”

Daly Cherry-Evans when he was a junior player at Sarina. Picture: File.

He said what makes him most proud of Cotter is that he remains a “genuinely good bloke” and is always willing to give back to the club where possible.

Cotter joins a formidable list of former Crocs to pull on the Maroons jersey including Kevin Campion, Dale Shearer, Wendell Sailor and Martin Bella.

Campion, Shearer and Sailor also attended Sarina State High School.

The Crocs president said the debutant’s selection was more proof of Sarina punching above its weight when it comes to rugby league.

“For a town that’s only got probably 3000 people in the township area itself, I think we do quite well,” Goode said.

While Cherry-Evans played with Sarina from under-7s to under-13s, he considers himself a Mackay Brothers junior.

Dane Gagai and Kalyn Ponga both played in the juniors for Souths Sharks.

Tom Dearden played juniors with Brothers Mackay and in the Cyril Connell Cup for the Cutters.

Former Mackay Cutter Nicholas Hynes narrowly missed out on NSW selection but is listed in the 22-man squad.