Cutters halfback Cooper Bambling has signed an NRL deal with the Canberra Raiders.

Cutters halfback Cooper Bambling has signed an NRL deal with the Canberra Raiders. Madolyn Peters

RUGBY LEAGUE MACKAY continues to show its worth as a Rugby League nursery with the Canberra Raiders swooping on one of the Cutters biggest stars.

2017 Club Rookie of the Year Cooper Bambling has put pen to paper with the southern club after a break out year in Mackay.

Bambling said he was excited about the move south in three weeks which will have him in the nation's capital in time to start pre-season training.

In Canberra, Bambling will work under the tutelage of former Australian five-eighth and current Raiders coach Ricky Stuart with the club committed to developing the 21-year-old half into an NRL player.

"Ricky seemed very excited and he is all for developing me into a better footy player,” Bambling told The Daily Mercury.

"I don't think there is any better player to learn off than Ricky Stuart so I am looking forward to it.”

Bambling credited his time in the Intrust Super Cup with the Cutters as crucial in securing him an NRL deal.

He said the competition rated as the second best in the country and said he was thankful for the contributions of the Cutters and coach Steve Sheppard to his development.

Cutter's CEO Rovelli was full of praise for Bambling who he declared one of the best halves in the Intrust Super Cup.

He conceded that there would be no easy way to replace the young half in 2018 but said the club wouldn't be doing their job if they stood in his way.

"We are all really pleased for Cooper,” Rovelli said.

"Is he going to be easy to replace, no he is not, but we have got a few things bubbling away.”

Rovelli earmarked freshly re-signed five-eighth Nicho Hynes and under 20 half Daniel Boyd as players who may be called on to step up following Bambling's departure.

He said Bambling's step up was a testament to the club's ongoing commitment to developing its players.

"We are here to give young men an opportunity. We are always saying how we are a pathway club and these contracts are what we are here for,” he said