'For the north': Mackay Cutters claim BMD Premiership title
- Author
- Timestamp
The Mackay Cutters have gone from minor premiers to champions after claiming the 2024 BMD Premiership title for the first time under the club's banner.
Making history, the Cutters put up an almighty battle against a never-say-die Norths Devils outfit to post the 16-6 victory at Redcliffe's Kayo Stadium on Saturday.
After a solid back-and-forth opening 20 minutes, the Cutters broke the game open in the 22nd minute through standout forward, Sareka Mooka.
In the next six minutes they posted another two tries through hooker Alisha Foord and centre Jasmine Peters, with the momentum strongly in their favour.
But a defiant Norths hit back right before halftime, with young fullback Montaya Hudson crossing, to take the score to 14-6 at the break.
This set the stage for a gritty, arm wrestle of a second stanza, with fans left on the edge of their seats as the two teams battled it out for glory.
Match: Cutters v Devils
Grand Final -
home Team
Cutters
1st Position
away Team
Devils
2nd Position
Venue: Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
Mackay coach Marco Peters said it was that second half that ultimately secured his side the win, with the only points of those 35 minutes coming through a Cutters penalty goal.
"I'm very obviously happy," he said.
"The girls really dug in deep in that second half. It wasn't something we've had to do for a while, defending those back-to-back sets.
"Norths probably couldn't do much more than what they did in that second half. At one stage they were seven from seven with their completions and totally all over us. The girls digging in deep and defending was amazing.
"That back end, when Norths made a break and we defended that corner, I knew we had it from there. It was really important, that tackle."
A number of girls stood up on both sides of the park in the premiership decider, with five-eighth Georgia Hannaway a standout for Norths, while Mackay were led strongly by their forwards, including Mooka.
Cutters captain and halfback Tahlulah Tillett played through injury to get the job done for her side while young forward Lily Peacock earned player of the match accolades for an outstanding performance.
Peters' daughter, Cutters centre Jasmine Peters was also strong, and he gave her a rare shout out after the match.
He said sometimes it's tough to give her due credit because of their relationship, but this premiership victory would be one they could remember forever, especially if it is their last time as coach and player.
"It is very difficult coaching family," he said.
"Jazzie and I are very close... we're pretty much the same person, which is even harder to deal with sometimes.
"But these memories are going to last a long time. It might be one of the last times I get to coach her... it was really important and really great to finish on a win."
While the North Queensland Gold Stars claimed the BMD Premiership title two years ago, this is the first time the trophy has been won under the Cutters banner.
With players based in Townsville and Mackay - and representing regions across all of north Queensland - Peters said it's special for the Cutters, but it's representative of the entire community.
"For me, it's actually for the north," he said.
"We're playing under the Cutters banner and it's absolutely amazing and something the Mackay girls treasure. But we come from far and wide.
"We talk about that a fair bit that it's from the Straits out to Mt Isa and down to Sarina. It's a big area and it's required a lot of commitment from our group of girls.
"The Townsville-based girls deserve a big shout out for what they've done this year with the travel."
Watch the BMD Premiership grand final replay by subscribing to
