By Amanda Wright
A massive weekend of footy is coming up for our QCCS Mackay Cutters, followed by an NRL clash of Queensland crowd favourites with the North Queensland Cowboys taking on the Brisbane Broncos at BB Print Stadium, Mackay.
The Cutters’ HPC and BMD squads will play in their first trial against the CQ Capras on Sunday before the NRL trial, and all Junior Reps will have their first home game of 2024 against the Northern Pride on Saturday.
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Head Coach Todd Payten said it had been a long pre-season and the players were ready to play, however locals were disappointed to see the two co-captains, Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden, both originally from the Mackay region, were not named as part of the team for the trial.
Mackay Cutters captain Sean Mullany has been named to start at hooker for the Cowboys. Mullany is one of three feeder club players named in the squad alongside Kyle Schneider and Ewan Moore.
Emerging talent Jaxon Purdue will make his first Cowboys appearance in front of family and friends in his hometown. The electric half is in his first year in the Cowboys Young Guns program after starring for St Patrick’s Mackay in their march to Aaron Payne Cup glory in 2023.
Meanwhile, the Broncos are fielding a team with depth and experience, despite facing scrutiny over an incident involving two senior players. Patrick Carrigan and Adam Reynolds addressed media earlier this week to apologise for a public scuffle which unfolded last weekend. Playmakers in the backs like Reece Walsh and Corey Oats will likely create a challenge for the fresh Cowboys squad.
With the Broncos set to leave for the United States soon after the Mackay clash for Round 1 in Las Vegas, Walters will be looking to use this game as an opportunity to test the strengths and weaknesses of players both new and experienced.
Sunday 18th February Footy
BMD Kick-off: 11.00am
Hostplus Cup Kick-off: 12.30pm
NRL Trial Cowboys v Broncos Kick-off: 3:00pm
