Courtesy of the the Daily Mercury
THE Mackay Cutters are just halfway through the season but fleet-footed fullback Justin Hunt is already poised to pounce on the club’s season point-scoring record.
With seven tries and 31 goals, the 21-year-old is just four points shy of Daniel Abraham’s mark of 94 points.
He claimed a 14-point haul during the recent 36-30 loss to Tweed Heads and closed in on the milestone with a couple of points against Ipswich, before being sidelined with a shoulder injury.
But the versatile back has a great chance to break the record on Sunday, when the Cutters confront arch-rivals Central Comets at South Mackay.
A former halfback, Hunt believes a recent switch to fullback has enabled him to cross the line more often.
“I’m loving it; I’m really enjoying playing off the likes of Buddsy (hooker Neil Budworth) and Toddy (halfback Todd Seymour) and Michael Meigan,” he told The Daily Mercury recently.
“I’ve got a lot more room to move at fullback.”
As one of the top point scorers in the competition, Hunt continues to press his claims for Queensland Country honours and a look-in at the North Queensland Cowboys, where he trained during the off-season.
But his immediate focus is on helping the STM Cutters climb the league ladder.
“I’m a Cutter so I’m just concentrating on playing well for them at the moment,” he said.
His inclusion in the line-up is the only change to the Mackay outfit which defeated reigning premiers Sunshine Coast 40-26 at the Junior Rugby League Grounds last weekend.
He replaces Shannon Gallant who is expected to be rested with a niggling injury to his ribs.
Grant Rovelli could be called up to the Cowboys if North Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston fails to beat a charge at the NRL judiciary tonight.
The sixth-placed Cutters will face the 10th-placed Comets for the annual Meng Group Shield and Luke Fatnowna will be primed for a big game against his old club.
The game will kick-off at 3pm after the women’s state rugby league final and the Skills Training Cup clash between Souths and Sarina.
CUTTERS: J Hunt, D Malone, M Comerford, T Martin, C Giumelli, G Rovelli, T Seymour, L McDonald, N Budworth, I Ah Mau, D Griffiths, J Bobongie, B Harris. Interchange: S Muspratt, G Moore, P Quinn, L Fatnowna. Coach: Paul Bramley
COMETS: J Auru, D Pickering, G Williams, J Bishop, D Williams, N Barraclough, M Fickling, T Glasby, I Webster, A Rothery, G Ford, M Esdale, T Haynes. Interchange: G Parle, R Baker, C Nobbs, G Tuakura. Coach: Wayne Barnett
GAME DAY
CUTTERS v COMETS
Mackay Junior Rugby League Grounds, South Mackay, 3pm Sunday
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