The 2015 Mackay Cutters season was the eighth in the club's history. Coached by Kim Williams and captained by Chris Gesch and Liam Taylor, they competed in the QRL's Intrust Super Cup. The club missed the finals for the second consecutive season, finishing 8th.
Season summary Looking to return to the finals after missing out in 2014, the Cutters recruited former NRL and Super League forward Steve Rapira, who had previously played for the club in 2009 while contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys, Samoan international Michael Sio and former Brisbane Broncos NRL squad member Cameron Cullen.
The season started strongly for the club, as they went on a five-game winning streak, winning five of their first seven games. The period between their two byes was poor for the side, winning just four of their nine games. On 10 June, it was announced that Kim Williams would be leaving the club at the end of the season to coach the Central Queensland Capras. Seven days later, key off-season recruit Michel Sio left the club, signing with Super League side, Wakefield Trinity. The Cutters ended the year winning one and drawing one of their last seven to finish the season in 8th.
On 9 September, Cowboys-contracted player Josh Chudleigh was named at hooker in the Queensland Cup Team of the Year.
Squad List 2015 squad
Squad movement Gains Player Signed from Until end of Notes Gavin Bennion Warrington Wolves Joss Boyton Muswellbrook Rams Sam Clune Thirroul Butchers Corey Cox Dubbo CYMS Cameron Cullen Redcliffe Dolphins Rex Johnson Souths Logan Magpies Ben Jones Newtown Jets (mid-season) Brad Lupi North Sydney Bears Jordan Pereira Willagee Bears Steve Rapira Salford Red Devils Michael Sio Warriors
Losses Player Signed from Until end of Notes Daniel Beasley Townsville Blackhawks Ross Bella North Queensland Cowboys Josh Benjamin Redcliffe Dolphins Karl Davies Bradford Bulls Doug Hewitt Tweed Heads Seagulls Michael Koko Easts Tigers Dan Murphy Sunshine Coast Falcons Dave Petersen Bradford Bulls Jason Schirnack Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Michael Sio Wakefield Trinity (mid-season) James Uhatafe Released Chris Ulugia Bradford Bulls Brentt Warr Easts Tigers Dean Webster Released
Fixtures Regular season
Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Saturday, 7 MarchRound 1 Townsville BlackhawksJack Manski Oval 16 – 30 Chudleigh, Martin, Pereira Johnson (2)Saturday, 14 MarchRound 2 Tweed Heads SeagullsStadium Mackay 34 – 18 Chudleigh (2), Cullen, Martin, Moga, Tavae, Walker Johnson (3)Saturday, 21 MarchRound 3 Wynnum Manly SeagullsBMD Kougari Oval 28 – 10 Chudleigh (2), Cullen, Falepaini, Tavae Johnson (4)Saturday, 28 MarchRound 4 Easts TigersStadium Mackay 30 – 8 Cullen (3), Sio (2) Johnson (5)Saturday, 4 AprilRound 5 Norths DevilsStadium Mackay 13 – 12 Clune (2), Tavae Taylor (1 FG)Saturday, 11 AprilRound 6 Central Queensland CaprasBrowne Park 14 – 12 Cullen, Rawhiti Taylor (3)Sunday, 19 AprilRound 7 PNG HuntersKalabond Oval 24 – 26 Chudleigh (2), Clune, Taylor Taylor (4)Round 8Bye Sunday, 10 MayRound 9 Sunshine Coast FalconsStadium Mackay 50 – 16 Chudleigh, Falepaini, Hoare, Lupi, Pereira, Sio, Tavae, Treston, Walker Taylor (7) Saturday, 16 MayRound 10 Ipswich JetsStadium Mackay 20 – 36 Cullen (2), Pereira, Tavae Taylor (2)Sunday, 24 MayRound 11 Burleigh BearsPizzey Park 22 – 23 Clune, Falepaini, Martin, Walker Taylor (3)Sunday, 31 MayRound 12 Northern PrideBarlow Park 12 – 10 Pereira Taylor (2)Friday, 5 JuneRound 13 Townsville BlackhawksStadium Mackay 12 – 14 Pereira, Rawhiti Taylor (2)Saturday, 13 JuneRound 14 Redcliffe DolphinsStadium Mackay 28 – 18 Hess (2), Pereira, Rawhiti, Treston Taylor (4)Sunday, 21 JuneRound 15 Easts TigersLanglands Park 16 – 30 Lupi, Martin, Taylor Taylor (2)Saturday, 27 JuneRound 16 Wynnum Manly SeagullsStadium Mackay 16 – 26 Clune, Cullen, Vaituutuu Taylor (2)Saturday, 4 JulyRound 17 Sunshine Coast FalconsSunshine Coast Stadium32 – 14 Rawhiti (2), Chudleigh, Clune, Pereira, Tavae Taylor (4)Round 18ByeSaturday, 18 JulyRound 19 Burleigh BearsStadium Mackay 46 – 4 Chudleigh (2), Gesch, Jones, Martin, Pereira, Treston, Uele Taylor (7)Sunday, 26 JulyRound 20 Redcliffe DolphinsDolphin Oval 18 – 40 Chudleigh (2), Falepaini Taylor (3)Sunday, 2 AugustRound 21 Tweed Heads SeagullsPiggabeen Sports Complex 20 – 24 Chudleigh, Tavae, Taylor, Walker Taylor (2)Saturday, 8 AugustRound 22 Northern PrideStadium Mackay 22 – 26 Clune, Jones, Pereira, Taylor Taylor (3)Saturday, 15 AugustRound 23 Norths DevilsDalby Leagues Ground 28 – 40 Clune (2), Falepaini, Martin, Rawhiti Taylor (4)Saturday, 22 AugustRound 24 PNG HuntersStadium Mackay 28 – 28 Chudleigh (2), Gay, Pereira, Wright Taylor (4)Saturday, 29 AugustRound 25 Souths Logan MagpiesBrandon Park 18 – 32 Atherton, Clune, Taylor Taylor (3) Legend:
Statistics Denotes player contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys for the 2015 season
NameAppTGFGPts3----Blake Atheron41--42----Joss Boyton17----1916--64Sam Clune2210--40199--36Andrew Dale1----Mitch Day9----Aleki Falepaini215--2031--4Chris Gesch221--432--8101--4Rex Johnson5-14-28112--8Ryan Kinlyside12----3----Brad Lupi232--8226--2421--4Kelvin Nielsen10----1----Josh Osborne9----2111--445----Buchanan Rawhiti166--24133--12Justin Tavae227--28Liam Taylor195611143Brenden Treston173--1231--4Pulou Vaituutuu121--4Zack Walker94--1611--4 Totals 99 75 1 547
Honours League Hooker of the Year: Josh Chudleigh
References