Courtesy of the Daily Mercury
THE Mackay Cutters’ quest for a maiden finals berth has suffered a hefty blow, with inspirational forward Jardine Bobongie ruled out for a month after suffering a dislocated shoulder in the 22-16 loss to Northern Pride at South Mackay on Sunday.
The second-rower, who turns 26 today, is part of Mackay’s leadership group and has been instrumental in the Cutters’ charge towards the playoffs.
“He’s a good, balanced player and is very aggressive for us,” Cutters coach Paul Bramley said.
“And he sparks the side when we need it, so he’ll be a big loss.
“If it (a shoulder dislocation) happens again he could need a reconstruction,” he said.
With two losses from their last three starts, the seventh-placed Cutters travel to third-placed Wynnum-Manly Seagulls on Sunday for a crucial round 18 encounter.
Bobongie’s place in the back row will be taken by Queensland Country representative Tyson Martin.
The former North Queensland Cowboys under-20 player should feel right at home in the forward pack.
“He came to us as a back-rower but has played centre this season through necessity,” Bramley said.
“I think he’s pretty happy about going back into the back row. The Cowboys want to have a look at him there too, so it’s a good chance for him.”
Cowboys icon Josh Hannay is named to play in the three-quarter line.
“Josh is fit. His knee came through the game with Moranbah and he will have no problems coming into the team,” Bramley said of Hannay, who has laced-up for three games with Mackay this season.
The Cutters could be forced to make a change to their line-up if Ben Harris drops back from an extended Cowboys bench.
The Wynnum-Manly line-up named yesterday boasts dual-registered Broncos prop Tim Natusch, while the Cutters line-up includes dual registered Cowboys fullback Shannon Gallant, centre Donald Malone and front-rower Isaac Ah Mau.
SEAGULLS: S Moylan, T Brooks, S Te’o, D Seage, V Silulu, D Quinn, M Seamark, J Afamasaga, A Herangi, T Natusch, J Grieve, D Bain, L Dalziel-Don, W Scanlan, B Faulkner, J O’Brien, J Te Reo.
CUTTERS: S Gallant, M Comerford, D Malone, J Hannay, C Giumelli, M Meigan, T Seymour, L McDonald, N Budworth, I Ah Mau, D Griffiths, T Martin, S Muspratt (c) Interchange: J Hunt, G Moore, R Hyde, L Fatnowna.
GAME DAY
SEAGULLS V CUTTERS
Kougari Oval, Wynnum-Manly, 2pm Sunday
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