It was a “night of stars” at the annual Mackay Cutters end-of-season presentation dinner last Friday evening with the event staged under the stars on the Lancaster Lawns at Harrup Park.
There were more than 170 guests in attendance at this year’s event to celebrate the Mackay Cutters’ most outstanding performers both on and off the field.
The major awards presentation recognises the most outstanding rookie from the current season, the players player, club person of the year and the coveted Triple M player of the year winners from the Hastings Deering Colts and Intrust Super Cup squads.
This year saw the inaugural 50 games achievement medals presented to those players who had played 50 games for the Mackay Cutters.
Mayor of Mackay Greg Williamson opened the evening with a stirring speech congratulating the Mackay Cutters both on and off the field for their success this season and for their contribution to the Mackay community.
Special guests included North Queensland Cowboys Chief Executive Officer Jeff Reibel and Director of Football Peter Parr.
Mackay Cutters award winners 2019
50 Games Medals
Hastings Deering Colts / Under 20 matches – Brendan White (the first Under 20 player in the club’s history to receive this award.)
Intrust Super Cup – Cooper Bambling, Brendan Treston and Yamba Bowie
Club Person of the Year – Ronan Curtis
The Caneland Central Club person of the year award is given to a person that has committed themselves above and beyond their responsibilities, or their task, so that others within the club can benefit.
The winner of this year’s award has done just that and much more. Ronan’s willingness to help at the club to ensure that game day events went off without a hitch and that players could be looked after, giving them every chance to win, was exceptional this year. Ronan can be found at the club most afternoons after a long day at school and in the school holidays helping wherever he could and setting a new standard for the next winner of this award. He is a credit to his parents and the way they instilled a work ethic, compassion and a sense of community.
Rookie of the Year – Reuben Cotter
Cotter is a true testament to what it means to work hard, show resilience and achieve your goals. This versatile and dynamic hooker is a true Mackay local being a junior product of the Sarina Crocodiles from Under 6 to Under 16, going on to play for the Mackay Cutters Under 18, before joining the North Queensland Cowboys in 2016. People who have come to know Cotters over the years were glued to the TV and at the game when he took the field to make his Intrust Super Cup debut for the Mackay Cutters and then his NRL debut for the North Queensland Cowboys all in 2019. This effort was exceptional given the path he had to take navigating several setbacks, which would have made the average person give up their dream of a QRL or NRL debut.
Hastings Deering Colts players’ player – Aidan Beard
This year’s recipient is the epitome of players’ player. Beard has a team first mentality and whatever it takes work ethic and he leaves nothing on the field. Having played every game this season, his toughness is only outweighed by his love of taking the field with his mates. On or off the field, his team mates take pride of place and with the skills of a half in a forward’s body, this young man will be an asset to the Cutters in years to come.
Intrust Super Cup players’ player – Jordan Kenworthy
Kenworthy joined the Mackay Cutters in 2018, coming from Townsville and you can see why his team mates voted for him. Playing all 23 Intrust Super cup games this season, Kenworthy showed an outstanding level of effort and sacrifice all season. His toughness and selflessness both on and off the field is a true testament to why he is receiving this award.
Hastings Deering Colts Under 20 player of the year – Garrett Smith
From the Cutters Academy to the North Queensland Cowboys, Norths Devils junior product Garrett Smith is back where it all began. A mainstay in junior rep teams Garrett returned to Mackay in 2019 to further his studies and ply his trade for the Mackay Cutters while remaining contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys. Making his ISC debut during this year, Garrett lead from the front for the HDC team, averaging 147 run metres and 20 tackles per game while also managing to score 8 tries in the regular season. At only 19, the task of doing the hard yards does not elude Garrett and with stats like these the future is very bright for this young Cutter to achieve his dreams of playing in the NRL.
Col Grosskreutz Medal for Intrust Super Cup player of the year – Jordan Kenworthy
Kenworthy joined the Mackay Cutters in 2018 going on to play in all 23 rounds of the season. Amassing a massive 2440 running metres and averaging 38 tackles and 106 metres per game, the future looks bright for this intense enforcing Lock. His dedication to the team was second to none, putting his body on the line in every game he played. Kenworthy is certainly a deserving winner of the 2019 Col Grosskreutz Medal for Intrust Super Cup Player of the Year.