CQ Capras tackle Mackay Cutters in Round 4 of Harvey Norman U17s

The CQ Capras will look to extend their winning run in the Harvey Norman under-17s when they tackle Mackay this weekend and there’s one key word which is driving their success.

The CQ Capras have won their three games in the Harvey Norman under-17s.

Connection.

It’s the word coach Nikki Carpenter offers when asked what’s driving the Capras under-17 girls success.

They will look to extend their unbeaten run when they tackle the Mackay Cutters in Mackay in Round 4 on Saturday.

It promises to be a blockbuster, as they are both among only four unbeaten teams in the 15-way competition.

The Capras got the win when they met the Cutters in a pre-season trial played in torrential rain in Rockhampton last month but Carpenter knows their northern rivals will be a different proposition on Saturday.

“Given a dry track and the fact Mackay are very similar to us, it’ll be anyone’s game,” she said.

CQ Capras under-17 girls coach Nikki Carpenter has plenty to smile about.

The Capras four underage teams are on the road to Mackay, with the under-17 boys kicking off the action at BB Print Stadium at 11am.

The under-19 boys play at 12.20pm, the under-17 girls at 3.50pm and the under-19 girls at 5.10pm.

The Capras men were to start their 2025 Q-Cup campaign on Saturday but their Round 1 fixture, set down for the Gold Coast, has been postponed due to the imminent arrival of Cyclone Alfred.

Carpenter is chuffed at how her girls have gone about their season, which this year has been expanded to six fixtures and a four-game finals series.

“We’ve been really blessed this year in that the girls have just connected, which is obviously what we strive for as coaches,” she said.

“Skill and ability and things like that come second to a team that’s bonded and these girls work really hard for each other.

Capras’ halfback Macey Evans has been in scintillating form.

“They’re just so committed and dedicated, and they have really bought into the culture that we’re creating.”

Carpenter said the players’ grit and determination was illustrated in their come-from-behind win against the Townsville Blackhawks last weekend.

Staring down the barrel of a potential first loss, they toughed it out with centre Charlotte McLean scoring a late try to seal the 28-22 victory.

Carpenter would not single out a star performer, saying “absolutely everybody” was playing their part and having a major impact.

“Our spine’s always great but we’ve got really hard-working front rowers and second rowers and our edges have been fantastic too and that’s where we’ve got most of our tries this season,” she said.

“Every player has had an impact.

“The best part about having such talent in your team is that it stretches across every position on the field.”

Capras’ Round 4 teams

Under-17 girls

Kayla Vella, Ashlynn Self, Charlotte McLean, Jorgie Mitchell, Isabelle Jensen, Madeline Johnson, Macey Evans, Rachel Oakley, Josie Wogand, Vivian Mosby, Maycee Brown, Alexis Bukowski, Alice Kallquist, Jada Ryan, Addison Carlyon, Paikea Tane, Hannah Jamieson, Rosie Warapa.

Under-17 boys

Harley Biles, Kaiden Pope-Warcon, Leo Fanuatanu, Kaelan Callaghan, Colin Leisha, Cormack Werner, Michael Busby, Parker Gallagher, Jay Marsh, Samuel Adams, Jake Armstrong, Athol-John Gilbert, Lachlan Anderson, Doujon Kanak, Jake Symes, Parker Hunt, Marcus Tipman, Kobe Oberhardt.

Under-19 girls

Caydence Fouracre, Lyndell Malone, Dale Lewis, Tasmyn Boody, Teleah Cassar, Lilla Pratt, Manaia Faiumu-Malone, Gabi Williams, Alisha Nicholson, Stevie-Lee Dixson, Kamalita Tasi Maaka, Georgia Wright, Keeley Marsden, Ella Lindsay, Nahlani Von Senden, Ruivani Auda, Gabrielle Yarrow, Taila Miller.

Under-19 boys

Banjo Walker, Whayllam Waia-Dau, Mason Broadhurst, Anasta Tamwoy, Willem Lloyd, Will McLaughlin, Isaac Walker, Joshua Nilon, Curtis Seierup, Jake Oberhardt, Harrison Perry, Jai Ireland, Harrison Hill, Callum Denman, Zac Bateman, Lachlan Middleton, Cooper Mackenzie, Ryan Hardie.

Originally published as CQ Capras tackle Mackay Cutters in Round 4 of Harvey Norman U17s