The Mackay Cutters looked to be on track to contend for the 2019 finals series after a promising start to the competition, before falling in a slump at the back half of the season.
With the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season having drawn to a close, we take a look back through the year that was for all 14 clubs to see what went right, what went wrong, and what the clubs may focus on heading into the 2020 season.
The 2019 Year in Review series continues with Mackay Cutters.
The season by the numbers
Final position on the ladder
11th
Regular season
- Won: 7
- Drawn: 0
- Lost: 16
Home and away record
- Home: 3-8
- Away: 4-8
Scoring
- Scored: 416
- Conceded: 566
- For and against: -150
Players in focus
Standout player
Reuben Cotter enjoyed a breakout season with the Cutters in the Intrust Super Cup in 2019. Cotter was consistently one of their best players, and would often bring a spark to the Cutters attack with his quick play the balls and service from dummy-half. The 20-year-old was rewarded for his form in the Intrust Super Cup with an NRL debut for the North Queensland Cowboys in Round 13 and went on to make five appearances for the club. Cotter topped off his breakout season as Cutters Rookie of the Year and Top Try Scorer.
Tries: 9
Offloads: 11
Forced dropouts: 3
Tackles: 547
Tackle efficiency: 92 per cent
Average run metres: 69 metres
Best of 2019: Mackay Cutters
Notable player achievements and milestones
- Cooper Bambling – 50 Intrust Super Cup games
- Brendan Treston – 50 Intrust Super Cup games
- Yamba Bowie – 50 Intrust Super Cup games
- Reuben Cotter – NRL debut North Queensland Cowboys, Cutters Rookie of the Year and Top Try Scorer
- Jordan Kenworthy – Cutters Players' Player and Player of the Year
- Carlin Anderson – Cutters Top Points Scorer
- Garrett Smith – Queensland Under 20 selection
- Logan Bayliss – Queensland Under 20 selection
Key factors to season result
Second half slump
Cutters were sitting one win outside the Top 8, in ninth position, at the halfway mark this season. However, the North Queensland-based club only managed to win just three of their remaining 12 games, which saw them finish the regular season in 12th position.
Looking ahead to 2020
The Cutters showed they have the potential to compete with the top teams in the Intrust Super Cup this season. If the Cutters can build some consistency next season, particularly in the back half of the season, they will go a long way in 2020.
The Cutters have some really good young players coming through, particularly in the Hastings Deering Colts where they finished fifth overall this season. If they can capitalise off this young talent, they will be a very competitive side in 2020.
