How your team is shaping up for the Group 2 Rugby League 2021 season

A team-by-team look at the 2021 Group 2 Rugby League competition ahead of the season’s kick off this weekend.

Grafton Ghosts celebrate after winning the 2019 Group 2 Rugby League grand final. It was the last grand final played after the 2020 season was abandoned in the wake of Covid restrictions.

The Group 2 Rugby League season is ready to kick off for another season, and after a disastrous 2020 that saw the pin pulled on the competition before a ball was kicked, teams will be keen to make the most of their opportunities on the field.

With six teams all vying for premiership glory, The Daily Examiner has taken a look at the teams in the running, their season ahead and where they may end up by the time the finals start in August.

BELLINGEN-DORRIGO MAGPIES

A dark horse for the 2021 season, the club had built up player numbers over the past few seasons before COVID interrupted 2020.

New coach Garry Stevenson has instilled a new culture within the first grade side. This new culture was evident in their gritty 12-10 win over the Australian Defence Force side to claim the Sgt Matthew Locke MG Charity title.

Expect to see them improve from their 2019 season which saw them claim just the one win all season.

HAPPY TO BE A MAGPIE: Garry Stevenson is looking forward to coaching the Bellingen Valley Dorrigo Magpies in 2021.

Last season: 8th

2021 Prediction: 6th

Draw: Grafton Ghosts (H), Macksville (A), Woolgoolga (A), South Grafton (H), Coffs Harbour (A), Grafton Ghosts (A), Macksville (H), Woolgoolga (H), South Grafton (A), Coffs Harbour (H), Grafton Ghosts (H), Macksville (H), Woolgoolga (A), South Grafton (H), Coffs Harbour (A).

COFFS HARBOUR COMETS

Always there towards the top of the table come the finals and the same result would be anticipated in 2021.

The Comets have managed to get some match fitness under the belt with a few trial games, including a 58-24 demolition job of the Kyogle Turkeys last weekend.

Went down to the Grafton Ghosts in the 2019 grand final in an absolute blowout so Coffs Harbour will be starting the season with a point to prove.

Coffs Harbour Comets on grand final day, 2019.

Last season: Runners-up

2021 Prediction: 1st

Draw: Woolgoolga (A), Grafton Ghosts (H), South Grafton (H), Macksville (H), Bellingen (H), Woolgoolga (H), Grafton Ghosts (A), South Grafton (A), Macksville (A), Bellingen (A), Woolgoolga (A), Grafton Ghosts (H), South Grafton (H), Macksville (A), Bellingen (H).

GRAFTON GHOSTS

The defending premiers have had a few personnel changes since they claimed the 2019 title, most notably the loss of captain-coach Danny Wicks, with the former NRL enforcer leaving his post on a high at the end of the 2019 competition.

Club stalwart Todd Cameron will take the reigns as captain-coach. But while he has years of experience at dummy-half for the side, this will be his first assignment in the coaching role, so time will tell what impact that has on his on-field performance.

Former president Neil Payne has also made a return to the club after the tenure of Gary Gillespie.

Adam Slater, Todd Cameron, Mitch Gorman and Dylan Collett at Frank McGurren Field for announcement of Cameron's new role as coach captain of the Grafton Ghosts.

Last season: Premiers

2021 Prediction: 2nd

Draw: Bellingen (A), Coffs Harbour (A), Macksville (H), Woolgoolga (A), South Grafton (H), Bellingen (H), Coffs Harbour (H), Macksville (A), Woolgoolga (H), South Grafton (A), Bellingen (A), Coffs Harbour (A), Macksville (H), Woolgoolga (A), South Grafton (H).

MACKSVILLE SEA EAGLES

Under new coach Matthew Hyland the Sea Eagles will look to capitalise on a recent rebuild of their playing stock. Boasting some incredible junior talent from the Bowraville area, as well as some experience and a sizeable forward pack, Macksville will be right among it this season.

Last season: 5th

2021 Prediction:

Draw: South Grafton (H), Bellingen (H), Grafton Ghosts (A), Coffs Harbour (A), Woolgoolga (H), South Grafton (A), Bellingen (A), Grafton Ghosts (H), Coffs Harbour (H), Woolgoolga (A), South Grafton (A), Bellingen (A), Grafton Ghosts (A), Coffs Harbour (H), Woolgoolga (H).

SOUTH GRAFTON REBELS

While every team in the Group 2 competition is a team to watch, that label is definitely appropriate for the Rebels who bring a high energy, high intensity game plan to every match they play.

Premiership-winning player turned coach Roy Bell has brought his vast experience and professionalism to the club, and the first grade side will be keen to go one better after narrowly missing out on the 2019 grand final.

South Grafton Rebels new coach Roy Bell.

Last season: 4th

2021 Prediction: 2nd

Draw: Macksville (A), Woolgoolga (H), Coffs Harbour (A), Bellingen (A), Grafton Ghosts (A), Macksville (H), Woolgoolga (A), Coffs Harbour (H), Bellingen (H), Grafton Ghosts (H), Macksville (H), Woolgoolga (H), Coffs Harbour (A), Bellingen (A), Grafton Ghosts (A)

WOOLGOOLGA SEAHORSES

The Seahorses are back in the first grade fold, and will be ready to make their mark felt this season.

Their off-season recruitment and retention efforts have been top-draw, such as the signing of premiership-winning hooker Rhys Walters.

The Seahorses have also received a boost off the field with their major sponsor, Woolgoolga Diggers, being bought out by Wyong Leagues Club, which should mean more investment into the club that’s looking to build itself into a premiership force.

Woolgoolga Seahorses have gained the experience of premiership-winning former Rebels captain Rhys Walters. Photo Debrah Novak / The Daily Examiner

Last season: N/A

2021 Prediction: 3rd

Draw: Coffs Harbour (H), South Grafton (A), Bellingen (H), Grafton Ghosts (H), Macksville (A), South Grafton (H), Coffs Harbour (A), Grafton Ghosts (A), Macksville (H), Coffs Harbour (H), South Grafton (A), Bellingen (H), Grafton Ghosts (H), Macksville (A)