Meninga Cup Team of the Week selection heads list of Cutters’ young guns

Memo to the Cowboys: The talent scouts have signed a Super Seven from the Cutters, but should also take a second peek in case they overlooked some good juniors, including one of our Meninga Cup Team of the Week selections. Story here.

Rory Woodall was outstanding at the weekend. Picture credit: Mackay Cutters Facebook.

Round 7 Meninga Cup Team of the Week selection Rory Woodall should be considered for the Cowboys academy according to his coach Andy Battaia.

After two early, narrow losses to Northern Pride and the Townsville Blackhawks, Mackay Cutters were also bubbling along nicely, with their campaign gathering momentum at the weekend with a 32-8 win over Capras.

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Cutters have seven members of its Meninga Cup team signed by the Cowboys, but the NRL entertainers could do worse than sign some more – starting with flame haired Mackay Brothers forward Woodall who was one of the first players named in our side this week.

Tenzin Contor leads on the Mackay Cutters Meninga Cup boys is one of many from the club impressing this season.

The Mackay-based team’s Magnificent Seven contracted to the Cowboys were fullback Mutua Brown, winger Luka Russell, half Jaxon Purdue, prop Tavita Pani-Teo, hooker Xavier Kerrisk, prop Matt Watts, edge forward Travis Larner and forward Kayne Smith.

Rory Woodall kicking for goal. Picture credit: Mackay Cutters Facebook.

However, Battaia said most of the squad would not be out of place in the club’s academy. “They should be looked at. They are up to it,’’ he said.

Goal kicking edge forward Woodall, a Mackay SHS product, was particularly impressive.

“He’s just a competitor. He doesn’t stop,’’ praised Battaia.

St Patrick’s College No.13 Henry Thorpe, in particular, have impressed this season along with prop Tyler Shandiman.

Then you have the likes of interchange forward Zane Elletson, Jack Thorburn and Jordan Wyvill, Liam Doherty, Braedyn Roberts, Reagan Bella, Levi Love and Mason Patterson who remained unsigned.

Across the backline Cutters were also being well served by players such as five-eight Ethan Van Kerkwyk, who has been a Mackay representative player since under 12s, Mercy College product Tenzin Contor, his co-centre Will Shears, finishers Jaffahl Skillington and Hunter Harris who also remain unsigned. The respected Contor is the captain.

Harry Armstrong made our Team of the Week.

Aside from Woodall’s naming, the other selection highlights across the Meninga Cup, Connell Cup and Harvey 19s include:

+ Tweed’s Zane Harrison among the first picked after Seagulls crushing win over Burleigh - alongside Tweed hooker Cory Pearse and fullback Mason Barber and prop Tom Summer;

+ Clydesdales halves pair Matthew Moore and Joey Sankey making our Meninga top 20;

+ Recognition for hard working Wynnum captain Harry Armstrong who plays so consistently;

+ Kanaan Magele was a powerhouse for Ipswich Jets in Meninga Cup;

+ We were spoiled for choice this week selecting our Harvey girls’ hookers - so we named three in the squad, Paityne Johns (Cutters), Mikeely Scott (Clydesdales), Raewyn Olomalii (Dolphins)

+ Braith Dowson was a tremendous little man for the Northern Pride;

+ Jake Carsburg was not the best player for Redcliffe, but he is one of the form outside backs in the competition and scored another three at the weekend;

Townsville Blackhawks Taakoi Benioni as a Connell player.

+ Blackhawks edge powerhouse Taakoi Benioni was straight into the Connell side;

+ Souths Logan Connell side is blessed with high quality middle forwards, complemented by the thrust Emmanuel Asomua give the side off the bench;

+ Tiger Campbell was recognised for his efforts for Ipswich;

+ Among the most impressive of several Clydesdales was Mikeely Scott and fullback Mia Byrnes;

+ Norths Devils have a couple of really good ones, Lincoln Dalton and Dyer Akauola who had to be recognised;

+ Tweed’s defensive menace Cory Pearse makes the team at hooker;

+Bears centre Caleb Cresswell makes our Connell team of the week following his four try bonanza against Tweed;

+Halfback whiz Mersades Lawson looked the real deal in teh Cutters win over the Capras and was an automatic selection in our Harvey girls squad.

Meninga Cup

1. Mason Barber (Tweed)

2. Liam O’Brien (Pride)

3. Prestyn Laine-Sietu (Redcliffe)

4. Trace Beattie (Clydesdales)

5. Kylem Vunipola (Wynnum)

6. Matthew Moore (Clydesdales)

7. Zane Harrison (Tweed)

8. Kanaan Magele (Jets)

9. Cory Pearse (Tweed)

10. Larry Siala (Redcliffe)

11. Harry Armstrong (Wynnum)

12. Rory Woodall (Cutters)

13. Jayden Solien (Souths Logan)

14. Mathias Santo-Hero (Redcliffe)

15. Dirhys Sefo (Souths Logan)

16. Tom Summer (Tweed)

17. Wyatt Lourigan (Pride)

18. Sylas Simon (Norths)

19. Brady Turner (Bears)

20. Gabriel Tunimakubu (Pride)

21. Joey Sankey (Clydesdales)

Jayden Solien from the Meninga Cup under-19s.

Special mentions: Jake Lateo (Tweed), Braith Dowson (Pride), Brandon Norris (Norths), Phil Coates (Bears), Jonah Raidaveta (Pride), Lauloto Salei (Norths), Jack Rix (Pride), Charlie Johnstone (Wynnum), James Marriot (Clydesdales) Maddox Goodwin (Norths), Finn Lawson (Falcons), James Marriot (Falcons), Jackson Kite (Falcons) Tyrell Hopkins (Falcons).

Connell Cup

1. Dustin Appo (Redcliffe)

2. Conrad Browne (Jets)

3. Jake Carsburg (Redcliffe)

4. Caleb Cresswell (Bears)

5. Ioane Tiatia (Jets)

6. Noah Fien (Redcliffe)

7. Carter Welfare (Redcliffe)

8. Henry Kallquist (Capras)

9. Amare Wynyard (Redcliffe)

10. Emmanuel Asomua (Souths Logan)

11. Taakoi Benioni (Blackhawks)

12. Tamepo-Habib (Souths Logan)

13. Tupou Francis (Bears)

14. Tiger Campbell (Jets)

15. Jairus Halahala (Redcliffe)

16. Daniel Rakena (Bears)

17. Lincoln Dalton (Norths)

18. Ronnic Starkey (Souths Logan)

19. Dyer Akauola (Norths)

20. Charlie Dickson (Redcliffe)

Special mentions: Zeke Jones (Wynnum), Tyler Peirera (Wynnum), Jake Oberhardt (Capras), Fa’apale Feaunati (Souths Logan), Mace Andrew (Souths Logan), Jay Marsh (Capras), Tom Parker (Souths Logan)

The Harvey Norman under-19 semi-finalists have been confirmed as the junior representative season moves into overdrive.

Pre-season favourites the Tigers will be pitched against Anthony Swain’s talented Tweed Seagulls, while the country division will see the increasingly impressive Western Clydesdales take on the well organised Mackay Cutters. The semi-finals will be played on April 6.

Ariana Henderson is tremendous utility player. Picture credit: Ipswich Jets Facebook.

Harvey Norman under-19s Team of the Week

1. Mia Byrnes (Clydesdales)

2. Ava Walters (Norths)

3. Zebadiah Latu Mulumulu (Jets)

4. Dakota Taputoa (Jets)

5. Rebeka Lee (Souths Logan)

6. Mersades Lawson (Cutters)

7. Ariana Henderson (Jets)

8. Armarni-Lea Auvae (Redcliffe)

9. Paityne Johns (Cutters)

10. Chloe Watson (Blackhawks)

11. Kiera Rangi (Redcliffe)

12. Easter Taualai (Norths)

13. Lisa Waireg (Pride)

14. Mikeely Scott (Clydesdales)

15. Raewyn Olomalii (Dolphins)

16. Hayley Bush (Wynnum)

17. Ebony Temple (Cutters)

18. Charlotte Wells (Wynnum)

19. Makia Lehrer-Simon (Burleigh)

20. Libby Dunn (Clydesdales)

21. Jessica Barnes (Clydesdales)

Special mentions: Georgette Di Trapani (Norths), Sienna Smith (Tweed), Jessica Jahnke (Norths), Jacinta Neemia (Norths), Sifa Leapai (Jets/Bulls), Ally Ramsay (Norths), Lily-Jay License (Pride), Teesha Potts (Pride).