Cutters' Cowboys in NRL curtain-raiser

Mackay Cutters v Redcliffe Dolphins
5.05pm Saturday, 1300SMILES Stadium

For the second consecutive week, some of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys' brightest young talent will be on display for members and fans at 1300SMILES Stadium.

As a curtain raiser to the Cowboys showdown with the Titans, North Queensland feeder club the Mackay Cutters will clash with Redcliffe in the Hastings Deering Colts under-20s competition on Saturday afternoon.

The Cutters line-up features two Cowboys contracted youngsters who have both been in fantastic form in the early stages of the 2018 season.

Hooker Sam Murphy and prop Jye Anderson are both products of the Cowboys Academy and shape as key players for the Cutters in the inaugural season of the Colts competition.

Murphy, 19, made seven appearances for the Cowboys NYC outfit in 2017 and quickly impressed North Queensland coaching staff.

The Rockhampton product has been dangerous out of dummy half for the Cutters in his five appearances in 2018, averaging more than 80 running metres a game to go along with 24 tackles.

Anderson, 18, has made a brilliant return to the field after a torn ACL forced him to miss the entire 2017 season.

A Mackay local, Anderson has been dominant up front for the Cutters, averaging 108 running metres, 40 post contact metres and 27 tackles a game.

Kurt Wiltshire, a third Cowboys contracted youngster affiliated with the Cutters, has been elevated to Mackay’s Queensland Cup squad.