Courtesy of the QRL
MACKAY Cutters coach Paul Bramley believes Donald Malone and Liam McDonald are in reach of higher honours after watching the pair dominate the Easts Tigers in Saturday’s Intrust Super Cup match.
McDonald, an off-season recruit from the Souths Logan Magpies, got through a power of work up front, while Malone was at his dazzling best in the 50-20 thrashing of the Tigers.
Malone crossed for two tries and made a big impact out of dummy half with some explosive running to further press his claims for a Cowboys NRL berth.
Cowboys coach Neil Henry is yet to use Malone this season but Bramley has little doubt that the former Ipswich flyer is capable of succeeding at NRL level if given the opportunity.
McDonald is certainly one player making the most of every opportunity with his new club.
The young prop has been a tower of strength for the Cutters, who have won their last four games to jump Burleigh into fifth position on the ladder.
Bramley said he would be “very surprised” if McDonald did not make the Country team for the annual clash against City.
In a stunning display, the Cutters took a 38-0 lead into the half-time break of Saturday’s clash at Langlands Park.
Bramley said his team was “red hot”.
“We had a game plan and they stuck to it perfectly,” he said.
“In that first half I couldn’t fault a single person.
“We’ve got improvement in us definitely. We’ll get more Cowboys back at some stage too, and they’ve been very good for us so far.
“We’re playing a simple, good brand of football and we’re playing with confidence.”
In an ominous warning for rival sides, the Cutters still have former Maroons star Josh Hannay waiting in the wings.
Hannay made an encouraging debut in round 12 but dropped back to the Mackay and District local competition with the Moranbah Miners for the Easts clash after Grant Rovelli’s late return from the Cowboys.
But Bramley indicated it wouldn’t be long before Hannay nailed down a permanent position in the Cutters line up.
MACKAY CUTTERS 50 (Justin Hunt 2, Donald Malone 2, Michael Comerford 2, Obe Geia, Grant Rovelli, Todd Seymour tries; Justin Hunt 7 goals) def EASTS TIGERS 20 (Lance Morris, Steven Thorpe, James Stosic, Dean Sheppard tries; Isaac Kaufmann 2 goals) at Langlands Park.
© Mackay Cutters 2010. All rights reserved.
Website by
