RUGBY LEAGUE: Mackay Cutters' new Coaching Director of Development and Pathways doesn't want to "change the world".

Believing the club wasn't far off success at Intrust Super Cup level, Scott Thorburn's first order of business will be stabilisation as the Cutters prepare to take the next step.

"The word improvement has been used a bit, but it's not about changing the world. We're not far off as a club; there's just a few things we need to tweak a bit," Thorburn said.

"Huge improvements don't need to be made, but these days with so many staff and players on lists, it's bringing it all together."

Thorburn sees a big future ahead, with the Cutters sitting on a relative gold mine courtesy of it's junior Academy, and talent laden under-18s and 20s program.

Striking while the iron's hot, Thorburn said the club would place a major focus on player and coach development, with the hope of building a strong core of future ISC and elite-level players.

"Our junior Academy won the North Queensland Championships this year, and for the last couple of years, we've had very strong under-18s and 20s," he said.

"So it's important we put systems and structures in place to get them to next level... we want those players playing for the Cutters, but also want to present that pathway through to the NRL."

Also incorporating a support role for Cutters coach Steve Sheppard, Thorburn said he, Sheppard and new Director of Football Grant Rovelli would begin the process of shaping the club's ISC list for 2019.

"It's retaining the players we want and getting to the market and identifying players who can improve our standard of play," he said.

"I'm sure there'll be plenty of bumps along the way, but anything that can improve (ISC) performance will help."