The Mackay Cutters are aiming to hit their straps in 2019 and will be looking to their new faces to lift to the high standards set this year by the departing Jordan Grant.
Grant took home the Coll Grosskreutz Medal as their Player of the Year winner at their awards ceremony held in late September.
He also took home the Players’ Player award – coming as no great surprise to those who have followed the progress of the St Clair Comets junior who joined the club from the Wests Tigers this year.
The prop has since been signed by the Redcliffe Dolphins to help offset their loss of Toby Rudolph to Cronulla and forward Sam Anderson to the Maitland Pumpkin Pickers; with Nick Brown also linking up with the peninsular club.
Grant’s potential has also been recognised by the Brisbane Broncos where he has also begun pre-season training with the squad as part of the affiliation agreement with the two clubs.
Read >> Dolphins sign Rudolph and Anderson replacements
The Cutters have vowed to be back “bigger, better and stronger in 2019” and thanked their sponsors, fans, volunteers, players, families and the entire Mackay Community for their support in what was a difficult season where they finished as the bottom of the ladder.
As well as a focus on retaining their local talent including Blake Atherton for season 2019, they have been actively recruiting fresh blood, headlined by a number of international signings.
Read >> Atherton headlines local focus for Cutters
Coach Steve Sheppard and the club have secured experienced Welsh international Lloyd White (who can play in the halves or at hooker) and has more than 180 Super League games for the Widnes Vikings under his belt as well as fellow Vikings prop Alex Gerrard who will be aiming to fill the void left by Grant.
They have also signed up Otto Wrakonei who is a Papua New Guinea rugby international as well as Sala Falelua from New Zealand’s Mt Albert Lions; while more familiar faces include Paul Byrnes and Jordan Kenworthy from the Townsville Blackhawks.
Mackay Cutters 2018 Award Winners
Intrust Super Cup Harvey Norman Player of the Year - Jordan Grant
Intrust Super Cup Players’ Player - Jordan Grant
Rookie of the Year - Jye Andersen
Hastings Deering Colts Players’ Player - Jye Andersen
Hastings Deering Colts Harvey Norman Player of the Year - Jye Andersen
Club Person of the Year - Danell Curtis
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More Intrust Super Cup club awards
