Courtesy of the the Daily Mercury
MACKAY Cutters coach Paul Bramley believes Tyson Martin should be rewarded with a berth in the Queensland Country representative side after the 20-year-old talent produced yet another strong performance on Saturday.
The burly youngster bagged a brace of four-pointers during the Mackay Cutters’ impressive 20-6 victory against lowly Ipswich Jets at North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday.
“He must play for Country,” Bramley said.
“His versatility shows that he can play back rower or centre and he is a really strong kid who will be pushing for a spot at the Cowboys next year.”
The former North Queensland under-20 second-rower has been among the standouts at the Cutters this year after training with the Cowboys during the off-season.
He scored two first-half tries on Saturday. When pivot Todd Seymour found the line the visitors had a deserved 14-0 lead at the break.
“Our first half was a nine-out-of-ten effort,” Bramley said.
“We were dreadful last week in the first half. This week we were borderline outstanding.
“Our attitude in defence was excellent,” he added.
“We knew at half-time they were going to come out and rip into us in the second half and they did. We defended really well.” Bramley said of their dogged effort after the interval.
Ipswich scored a second-half try through Ian Lacey but the Cutters iced the match when Jardine Bobongie ran 40m to score following his successful charge-down.
“I feel sorry for (Ipswich coach) Glenn (Lazarus) and his team because they’re playing a really good brand of football,” he said.
“They had to win last night and we may have ended their season.”
With the loss of key player Neil Budworth (groin) prior to the game, Bramley got a man-of the match performance from Bobongie, who filled in at dummy-half for a large chunk of the contest.
Seven dual-registered Cowboys also rolled up their sleeves for the STM Cutters, including winger Donald Malone, who was attempting to impress Cowboys selectors ahead of this weekend’s crucial clash against Manly.
“I’d say he’s a big chance of playing for the Cowboys this weekend,” Bramley said after a strong showing from the three-quarter.
“I watched the other two (prospective Cowboys wingers Michael Bani and Ty Williams) play on the weekend and I thought he outplayed them.”
Bramley also praised Antonio Kaufusi and Isaak Ah Mau for their efforts and said the Mackay-based contingent played “very well,” including back-rower Peter Quinn, who received a late call-up to the side in place of Budworth.
Justin Hunt was also an addition to the line-up, playing in the centres in place of Michael Comerford, who was named to play in the Queensland Universities team.
Yesterday, Bramley paid tribute to consistent winger Chris Giumelli, who became the first Cutters player to tally 50 games with the club.
“Giumelli is a massive part of the club,” he said.
Meanwhile, Budworth will face a fitness test before this weekend’s much-anticipated home game against defending premiers Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles, which belted Burleigh 40-0 at Kawana yesterday.
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