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Sean Mullany knows he has his work cut out to be the Mackay Cuttersâ first-choice rake, but is ready and willing to fight for a key playmaking role in Michael Crawleyâs side.
The 21-year-old junior Kiwis international is no stranger to north Queensland or Queensland Cup football.
The Cowboys brought him across the ditch as a 16 year old to board at Townsvilleâs rugby league nursery, Ignatius Park College.
Originally a halfback, Mullanyâs on-field leadership qualities were soon identified and he was shifted to hooker, where he could more capably lead his teams up and down the pitch.
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Mackay is already a home away from home for Cutters recruit Jack Quinn.
Hailing from Dubbo in country New South Wales, the 21 year old former Penrith U20s big man comes from quality football stock and an upbringing ready-made for the rigours of the Queensland Cup.
Once a standout schoolboys rugby prospect, Quinn boarded at Sydney private school St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill where he played First XV in the prestigious AAGPS system.
After graduating in 2017, Quinn was quickly plucked from rugby by the Panthers, where he spent two seasons in the U20s system before signing with South Sydney for 2020.
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Michael Bell left the Mackay Cutters as an 18 year old to begin his would-be professional rugby league apprenticeship with the North Queensland Cowboys.
Now 21, he returns home with the world at his feet and an NRL berth within reach, should he be ready and willing to claim it.
Bell is one of 12 Cowboys players allocated to the Cutters for the 2021 Intrust Super Cup season, joining a list of local products ready to be called upon by coach Michael Crawley should they not be tapped for an NRL start.
Mackay rugby league products Reuben Cotter, Shane Wright and Mitch Dunn have all shared time between the Cowboys and Cutters in seasons past, using the Queensland Cup as a platform for bigger and better football honours.
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With his engineering degree now complete and an eye to making the most of his prolific football talents, Matiu Stone-Dunn is eager to stamp his mark on the Intrust Super Cup with the Mackay Cutters.
The 25 year old fullback joins the Cutters via Auckland Rugby League side Northcote Tigers â the same club that fostered Paul Rauhihi, Alex Glenn and Kevin Locke, to name a few.
It is with former Kiwi international Locke whom Stone-Dunn shares many enviable football traits: strong under the high ball, with the speed and vision to do damage in the return game.
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Coach Michael Crawley says the Mackay Cuttersâ allocation of North Queensland Cowboys players will âmake a big differenceâ to the clubâs 2021 Intrust Super Cup campaign.
And though the pair of internationals are unlikely to see the field as Cutters this season, there are a handful of other notable names who could play key roles in Crawley s side.
Emre Pere, Shane Wright, Mitch Dunn and Reuben Cotter have all played regular minutes for the Cutters in the recent past and, besides Pere, are also Mackay region locals.
Moranbah product Michael Bell is another with ties to the Cutters who could see Queensland Cup time.