Former international prop and NRL player Joel Clinton will step onto the field one more time as part of the Men of League All Stars team who are set to play against the QCCS Mackay Cutters next month.
In the second annual event, both teams will battle it out on the field for the Greg Sutherland Shield named in honour of the late Mackay rugby league administrator who was former Chairman of the Mackay & District Rugby League, Mackay Cutters and Men of League (Mackay).
The match will take place on Saturday, February 4 at BB Print Stadium, Mackay.
Legendary Mackay rugby league coach Col Grosskreutz will guide the All Stars. Grosskreutz has coached at all levels in the district including guiding the legendary Mackay Sea Eagles sides of 1993 and 1994 to State Championships along with multiple Foley Shield victories.
It will be the first game of the season for former Cowboys Under 20 Assistant Coach Steve Shepherd as he makes his debut as the head coach of the QCCS Mackay Cutters.
After a gruelling preseason, Shepherd is keen to test his troops out against the MDRL’s finest in what will be the Cutters first hit-out of the Intrust Super Cup preseason 2017.
“We have six new players this season who will also be wearing our new-look Cutters jersey and this game will be a great opportunity for our development squad players to gain experience at a higher level.
“The boys have been through a very intense preseason and have been training hard, but it is still an unknown for game day so this will a good insight into how they handle a game situation,” he said.
“It’s also a great opportunity for them to play against a former Australian international.”
Get to the game early to support the QCCS Mackay Cutters Under 18s side who will play against the Townsville Black Under 18s at 4pm.
The new Cutters Under 20s side will also be in action and will go head-to-head against the Townsville Black Under 20s in the All Stars curtain raiser game.
Gates open at 3.30pm with the Under 20s curtain raiser scheduled for a 5.30pm kick-off, followed by the main event at 7.30pm.
This is set to be a fantastic trial run for the elite teams before they begin their Intrust Super Cup campaign on March 5.
Entry is $5 and proceeds from the event will go towards the Men of League Foundation supporting those involved in the game at all levels.
Men of League All Stars team – 2017
1. Liam Taylor
2. Cedric Georgetown
3. Michael Newman
4. Mitch Lane
5. Matt Skaife
6. Nat Hinchcliffe
7. Beau Dixon
8. Joel Clinton
9. Matt Temby
10. Ryan Kinlyside
11. Ben Buchholz
12. Darryl Brennan
13. Zac Dalton
14. Mike Fairburn
15. Kur Lowe
16. Corbin Tass
17. Jarrod Knox
18. Byron Taylor
19. Stephen Jones
20. Brad Adams
Shadow: Matt Garness
Shadow: Maloni Lama
Shadow: Hau Uhatafe
Catch the 2017 Men of League All Stars at a training session from 6pm at the Mackay Junior Rugby League grounds on January 25 (today), January 31 and February 2.
Mackay Cutters team list
1. Yamba Bowie
2. Nathan Suamalu
3. Jordan Pereira
4. Johnny Faletaoga’i
5. Blake Atherton
6. Nicho Hynes
7. Yosepha Kepa
8. Gareth Moore
9. Jake Eden
10. Leonati Feiloakitau-Fetuani
11. Jacob Pottinger
12. Jacob Schill
13. Isaac Richardson
14. Dan Boyd
15. Kellen Jenner
16. Jack Blagbrough
17. Dylan Patteson
18. John O’Brien
Coach: Steve Sheppard
