Frank Winterstein, Cooper Woods headline Group 2 showstoppers in 2022
They bring the glitz, glamour, pace and power to bush rugby and these 12 livewires are the players that keep you wanting more. Here is the full list of showstoppers in Group 2 this season.
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Whether they are the ones twisting and turning their way through defences or crashing through a bunch of blokes to hit the tryline, these 10 showstoppers will light up Group 2 rugby league this season.
While the season has now been cut short with the loss of a club bringing the total participants down to eight, there is still excitement in the air.
The Grafton Ghosts are set for yet another big year as they look at add a fourth Group 2 title in eight years to their trophy cabinet.
Head coach Todd Cameron believes his team has the right mix of technique, pace and all around roughness to handle anyone.
He has at his disposal three showstoppers he thinks will add the right kind of spice to a potential title winning team.
Vinnie Williams, Oli Scott and Cooper Woods have been touted as rising stars and consistent performers to drag the Ghosts to the top of the pile.
“Vinnie Williams is back who is one of our 2019 grand final winners we are expecting a big year from Vinnie,” he said.
“His kicking game is exceptional, he controlled the game in 2019 and beat Coffs by 62 points and outside backs did the rest of the job.”
Williams is able to slot in the halves and lead the team around with his experience.
The two youngsters, Oli Scott and Cooper Woods are exciting prospects for Cameron to choose from.
Scott is able to slot into middle or back row or even on the wing with the youngster expected to cement a first team spot in 2022.
Woods is the known unknown.
Everyone in Grafton knows he has serious potential but a season-ending injury last year ruled him out after just three games.
“He had a few months of rehab but he is back and he is extremely versatile,” Cameron said.
While the Ghosts are always hot favourites for a title push, they’ll have to knock over some other high-flyers and big hitters before they get there.
Frank Winterstein - Macksville Sea Eagles
The former Bulldogs, Manly and Penrith NRL second-rower has joined Greg Inglis in Macksville for the 2022 season.
Winterstein comes into the competition with a glittering CV which boasts nine games with Samoa, over 70 NRL caps and experience in France’s professional league with Toulouse Olympique.
The 35-year old has the ability to absolutely pump opposition players and will dazzle and surprise if he is able to line up alongside Rabbitohs legend Inglis for a few matches this year.
Keiron Johnson-Heron - South Grafton Rebels
South Grafton’s top try and point scorer last season has returned as part of the core group of players keen on a title charge.
Johnson-Heron is a livewire that would love nothing more than to add to his six tries last season to knock off the Ghosts.
Luke Walker - South Grafton Rebels
Luke Walker is a South Grafton local and one of the clubs most dedicated players.
They say that the most dangerous play is one that is the most consistent and Walker provides the Rebels with flair and reliability.
Lewis Cooper - South Grafton Rebels
A few years ago Lewis Cooper was a Grafton Redmen rookie with his heart set on rugby union but now he has developed a reputation as a Rebels firecracker.
Known for providing a huge impact, especially off the bench, Cooper is a powerful player that will make opposition legs tremble.
Wesley Bruines - Coffs Harbour Comets
An overseas recruit has made his way to Coffs Harbour from rugby nursery, Wakefield Trinity.
The Englishman comes with a sense of intrigue and at only 18 years of age he just might follow the footsteps of fellow Coffs Harbour originals Miles Fairbank and Nathan Curry who made group 2 their home.
Joel Collinson - Woolgoolga Seahorses
Joel Collinson is a Woolgoolga junior and is back for more on the North Coast.
The 25-year old had a solid year for the Seahorses in a season that was cut short and constantly interrupted.
The Roosters fan packs a punch and has been selected for rep teams since he was a junior including the East Coast Dolphins, with no small thanks to his brothers Luke and Brad who will also be lining up alongside him.
Edward Vincent - Woolgoolga Seahorses
Vincent scored five tries last season, but now that he has another pre-season and the prospect of the campaign being uninterrupted, he has the potential to be a blockbuster.
The 22-year old was the club’s most improved player in 2019 and has been kicking goals ever since.
Sione Fangupo - Woolgoolga Seahorses
It wouldn’t be a showstoppers list without Sione Fangupo.
The leading try scorer with eight in last season’s Group 2 competition has signed on for yet another year at Woopi.
At times he is simply unstoppable, but unfortunately for all the other clubs in Group 2, he is chained to the Seahorses for at least another year.
Ronan Singleton - Orara Valley Axemen
Ronan Singleton has jumped over to the Orara Valley for a taste of the Sam Burgess experience.
Singleton has been described as a “great prospect for the club” by club president Peter Spinks after he was snatched from the Coffs Harbour Comets for the upcoming season.
A no-nonsense young half, Singleton was named the Ken Orr Memorial Rookie of the Year winner in just his first season in first grade.
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