Mackay Cutters coaches and staff reveal their best performers from QRL action

As Mackay Cutters prepare for senior trial matches and round 2 of the junior competition, find out which players coaches and staff believe stepped up on the weekend.

Mackay Cutters vs Central Queensland Capras, Hostplus Cup trial match. 15 February, 2025. Picture: Luke Fletcher

Mackay Cutters’ campaign could not have got off to a better start on the weekend, as they went four-for-four in round 1 of the junior season, while also prevailing in the senior men’s opening trial match against Central Queensland.

Coaches Andy Battaia and Adam Cuthbertson, along with Head of Female Pathways Marco Peters, revealed which players they thought showcased what they’re capable of on the weekend.

“It’s a very strong squad from top to bottom, but I thought our hooker Ryan John was very impressive, especially in all those effort areas,” Mal Meninga Cup coach Battaia said

Ryan John Mackay Cutters vs Northen Pride Mal Meninga Cup Saturday 15 February 2025 Picture:Michaela Harlow

“I thought our whole back five worked really hard, as did our wingers. It was great to get a big boost off the interchange bench from Mark Morrow, he came on and probably changed the game.

“It’s a luxury we probably haven’t had in the past.”

Harvey Norman U17/19s

Peters revealed that from the girls teams perspective, the under-17s had been really pleased with the performance of second rower Takiyah Sweet.

“She had a fantastic game with the ball in hand. We didn’t roll out a huge side in terms of size but the girls were willing to make up for that with their running and execution,” he said.

“In the 19s, the forward pack of Mele (Tupou), Selina (Cowley) and Ella (Cronin-Flanagan) were really strong for us.

“Jen Kimber is playing a new position (as fullback) this year, while she was a bit quiet in the first half she really came alive in that second half and was able to do exactly what we were looking for with ball in hand.”

Takiyah Sweet Mackay Cutters vs Northen Pride Harvey Norman U17's Saturday 15 February 2025 Picture:Michaela Harlow

Hostplus Cup

Adam Cuthbertson said he had a “bit of a juggling act” in terms of playing time for an extended team list in their first of two trial matches on the weekend.

Nonetheless, the Cutters’ head coach was still able to glean some key insights on an individual level on a number of his players.

“Zane McKellar has been very impressive across the entire pre-season, and he definitely went out there and looked very strong on the weekend,” Cuthbertson said.

“Rory Woodall was another one, he didn’t get a starting position, but he was able to move around a bit, he played up front for 10 minutes and then back row for 10 minutes and then into the centres, and he didn’t look out of place in any of those stints.”

All four teams are set to do battle at BB Print Arena this weekend, starting at 11am when the under-17 Harvey Norman side takes the field against Townsville Blackhawks.

Mackay Cutters vs Central Queensland Capras, Hostplus Cup trial match. 15 February, 2025. Picture: Luke Fletcher

Junior team lists

Mal Meninga:

1. Kooper Shears

2. Toby Woodall

3. Flynn Battaia

4. Zane Elletson

5. Rylan Misztela

6. Josh Toby

7. Niko Djukic

8. Travis Larner

9. Ryan John

10. Tavita Panai (c)

11. Joe Doyle

12. Declan Grady

13. Jack Thorburn (vc)

14. Nelson Fenlon

15. Mark Morrow

16. Kayne Smith

17. Camden Hopes

18. Harry Considine

Cyril Connell

1. Lachlan Brown

2. Beau Boardman

3. Norman Campbell

4. Bailey Smith

5. Tate Funk

6. Koby Daly

7. Grange Womal

8. George Gofton

9. Eli Cookson

10. Jake Peters

11. Caleb O’Brien

12. Tom Mulherin

13. AJ Bollinger (c)

14. Jack Vella

15. Zach Carroll

16. Lawson Mifsud

17. Rocky Hancock

18. Jarred Giumelli

19. Oscar Bishop

20. Tom Osborne

21. Kaileb Krstic

Harvey Norman U19

1. Jennifer Kimber (vc)

2. Ava Wheeler

3. Jaccoa Keyssecker

4. Anthea Campbell

5. Ella Webb

6. Paige Mooney

7. Caitlin Tanner

8. Ella Cronin

9. Keely Pitt

10. Mele Tupou

11. Selina Cowley

12. Shaylee Hazledine (c)

13. Bronte Clothier

14. Montana Hodgkinson

15. Ebony Temple

16. Tailor Meredith

17. Jada Cahill

18. Kiah Apps

Harvey Norman U17s

1. Abby Harris

2. Keeley Logan

3. Courtney Harris

4. Lucynda Tronc

5. Jade Williams

6. Ruby Watt

7. Kaitlyn Thiedeke (c)

8. Sienna Wright

9. Ella Duncan

10. Kelsi Hazeldine

11. Trinity White

12. Takiyah Sweet

13. Cianna Faulkner

14. Jade Geiger

15. Seepa Kosetatino-Liufau

16. Hannah Peterson

17. Sophie Searle

18. Cassidy Borg

Originally published as Mackay Cutters coaches and staff reveal their best performers from QRL action