Five Mackay rugby league stars selected for Queensland squads

Mackay has undoubtedly proven itself as a rugby league nursery, with an impressive history of players going on to the big leagues. Here is the next generation saddling up for the Colts.

Xavier Kerrisk in the Mercy College v St Brendan's Cowboys Challenge grand final in Mackay, September 1, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Queensland Rugby League has released its respective under-18s and under-19s squads.

Traditionally, these sides have featured players that later have long careers in the NRL and on occasion, go on to don the maroon jersey again on the nation’s highest stage, State of Origin.

Here are the five Mackay boys in the Queensland Colts squads for 2022.

Arthur Miller-Stephen

Arthur Miller-Stephen playing for Mackay State High School. Photo: Callum Dick

Miller-Stephen plies his trade with the Parramatta Eels SG Ball Squad, after a strong showing for the Mackay Cutters throughout an interrupted 2021 in their Mal Meninga Cup side.

The fullback is a Queensland Under-19 squad member, with the achievement adding to a collection of representative honours in his rise up the junior ranks from Brothers Rugby League Club.

Xavier Kerrisk

Xavier Kerrisk in the Mercy College v St Brendan's Cowboys Challenge grand final last year. Picture: Matthew Forrest.

A hooker, Kerrisk was one of the central drivers behind Mercy College’s Cowboys Challenge triumph in 2021.

Selected in Queensland’s Under-18s Emerging Origin squad, Kerrisk is contracted by the North Queensland Cowboys and a member of the Mackay Cutters Meninga Cup squad.

While praised for his composure out of dummy half, the former Walkerston Wanderers junior is a tireless tackler.

It’s a trait that puts him in high regard among other number nines.

Luke Pietzner

Luke Pietzner for Sarina Crocs in their A-Grade grand final win in 2021. Picture: Facebook

The Sarina Crocs A-Grade premiership player has had injury after injury along his quest to make it to the highest level.

A disease in his ankle pushed him towards lock and five-eighth before making his return to fullback in 2020.

In 2021, Pietzner debuted for the Cutters Under-18s side before succumbing to a serious collarbone fracture within minutes.

Today, he plays largely in the centres for the Newcastle Knights’ SG Ball Cup side.

An equally talented cricketer, Pietzner’s Under-19 squad selection might be only just the beginning.

Paul Bryan

Paul Bryan playing for junior club Brothers.

Also with the Newcastle Knights, Bryan has been selected in the Under-19s squad.

Featuring in various representative teams over the years, the prop was living in Townsville for the Cowboys Young Guns program in 2021 and travelling back to Mackay each weekend for Cutters games.

In his time at the Knights, Bryan has joined an impressive forward pack that has played a major part in the side finishing second placed in the regular season.

Baden Robinson

Baden Robinson in last year’s Under-17s semi final for the Wanderers. Picture: Marty Strecker.

Playing alongside Kerrisk in the Cutters Meninga Cup side this year and also a Walkerston Wanderers junior, Robinson will join him in the Emerging Origin squad.

The second rower has demonstrated his leadership abilities, as captain of a formidable St Patrick’s College team in 2021.

He has an ability to break lines and a canny match awareness.

Robinson is the only member of this list without a NRL contract but that could soon change if he impresses with the Queensland Under-18s squad.

Originally published as Five Mackay rugby league stars selected for Queensland squads