Season draw for Group 2 2021 competition

On the eve of the kick-off of the 2021 season take a look at who your team is playing and where for every week of the season.

Group 2 rugby league action is back from this weekend with the 2021 season kicking off on Saturday, April 17.

Here’s your look at the Group 2 Rugby League competition draw for the 2021 season ahead round one kicking off this Sunday.

After COVID-19 restrictions led to the 2020 season being abandoned, there is plenty of excitement leading into this year’s competition.

“It’s going to be good to get the sides back out on the paddock,” Group 2 president Warren Gilkinson said.

“We didn’t know what would happen after COVID and after a bit of mucking around with player numbers and teams to start the year it looks like it’s all come together well.

“As soon as we get the game going it’ll start getting the interest back into it. It’s been a while since people could get out and do things so I think that as soon as we get the season started all the interest and excitement will come back.”

With no crowd restrictions in place, apart from registration at the gate, Gilkinson said he was confident the 2021 season will be exciting for fans and players.

“The six sides that we have got do look very competitive, I don’t think it’ll be a four horse race like it has been in seasons past,” he said.

“I think it’ll be a week-to-week competition, with teams up one week and down the next, and I think it looks pretty even right across the board.”

The South Grafton Rebels will have their first home game of the season in round two when they take on Woolgoolga over the Anzac Day long weekend. The second round will also see a replay of the 2019 grand final with Coffs Harbour hosting defending premiers Grafton Ghosts.

The Ghosts will have to wait until round three before they can play for their home fans at Frank McGuren Field when they will play Macksville Sea Eagles.

There will be three local derbies between the Rebels and Ghosts during the 2021 season, with the first in round five on May 16, before the two sides face off again in round 10 on June 27 and round 15 on August 1.

Season draw for the Group 2 rugby league 2021 competition.

The final series will start on August 7, with the grand final set to be held on Sunday, August 29.

Gilkinson said it was disappointing that Sawtell Panthers made the decision to join Orara Valley Axemen and Nambucca Heads Roosters on the sideline for 2021.

“It’s a shame because Sawtell have always been a very strong club and they tried hard to get a first grade side together but the decision was made that they didn’t have the numbers,” he said.

Under Group 2 rules all teams must have a first grade side and one other side to play in the competition, and a request for an exemption by Sawtell was knocked back by administrators.

It’s not all bad news for the Panthers though with their under 18s team playing in the competition to fill a void left by the withdrawal of the Woolgoolga under 18s side, with Sawtell to play under Woolgoolga and use their ground for their home games.