Group 2 Rugby League: Grand final guide, preview and players to watch

After an exciting season there are just four games to go in Group 2. Check out a preview of all grand finals and the players to watch for all four grades.

The 2024 Group 2 Rugby League season will finish up with four big grand finals on Sunday. Picture: supplied

After an exciting few months of football, the Group 2 Rugby League competitions will come to an end this weekend with grand finals to be held at the Cex Coffs International Stadium on Sunday September 1.

Four grand finals in under-18s, women’s tackle, reserves and firsts will take place over the course of the day, with a slice of history to be created as the first ever women’s tackle premiers will be crowned in what is the competition’s inaugural season.

All up, five clubs will be in action, with teams looking to finish their seasons in glory.

Check out a preview of all grand finals and some players to watch for all four grades below.

UNDER-18s

Macksville v Nambucca Heads, 10:30am

Macksville and Nambucca will meet in the under-18s grand final. Picture: supplied

It will be local derby time in the first match of the day as Macksville takes on Nambucca in the under-18s.

After claiming the minor premiership and winning straight through to the decider, Macksville will be out to continue its incredible legacy in the grade.

The club has won the past four under-18s grand finals, stretching back to 2018, while the club was also leading the competition in 2021 before the season was cancelled due to Covid-19.

Coach Karl Spear has been there for two grand final victories and will be hoping for a third when his side takes on the Roosters.

What’s remarkable about this year’s side is the amount of under-age players who have stepped up in the grade, with some of the club’s young guns like Gus Single and Rielly Laverty playing most of the season in first grade.

“They’re a young team. At times we’ve had eight under-16s playing in the squad,” said Spear. “We have a couple of very handy representative kids as well, two of which haven’t really played with us all year – they’ve mainly been with first grade. We’re gonna have the benefit of having them back now that Macksville first grade has been knocked out.”

And while some sides have obvious strong points in one area of the park, Spear struggles to come up with too many obvious examples for his team.

“I think it’s not about where our strengths lie, but more the fact that we don’t have weaknesses,” he said.

“I think some of the other teams we’re playing against might have five or so strong players and then outside of that their level might fall off a bit, whereas I honestly feel that the 19 kids who take the field each week, I have full confidence in. I think we’re just strong across the board.”

Out to stop the Sea Eagles will be another young side in Nambucca, who have all bar five of their players playing a year up.

“They’re a real inexperienced mob, so they’re pretty excited,” said coach Geoff Batten.

While strong across the park, the Roosters really benefit from having a star players in the spine.

“In key positions I’ve got some of our strongest players. That has helped us a lot,” said Batten. “Our one, six, seven, nine, 13 – that’s probably been one of the biggest parts of success.”

Young gun Toby Batten (number nine) is also expected to line up in the first grade grand final later in the day. Picture: Leigh Jensen

Indeed, in a sign of how impressive some of the club’s young guns are, 17-year-olds Toby Batten, Rave Brazier and Dwayne Roberts Jarrett were on all the field at the same time during the minor premiership-winning first grade side’s final home game of the regular season against Coffs Harbour, with young Batten expected to back up for Nambucca’s A-grade team in the decider later in the day.

After receiving valuable A-grade experience in the best team in the competition, the trio have come back better players and lifted their teammates since returning to under-18s.

And while Macksville defeated Nambucca 28-10 in the major semi-final a fortnight ago, the Roosters will go into the game confident they can knock off their local rivals after defeating the Sea Eagles 22-16 in round nine.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Gus Single (Macksville)

The back-rower has had a breakout year for the Sea Eagles, spending pretty much the whole season in first grade.

“He’s as tough as nails and he’s an absolute competitor, so he’ll be up for the fight,” said Spear.

Indeed, coming back to the under-18s for the major semi-final against Nambucca, the coach was amazed at his star forward’s display.

“I’ve coached the 18s for three seasons now and his performance was the most physically dominant performance from an under-18-year-old kid ever,” said Spear.

“After playing tough against men all season he certainly brought that back to the 18s. The analogy I’ve used is like when an NRL player goes to Origin and then comes back to that level, their performances pick up – and that’s exactly what Gus did last week.”

Rielly Laverty (Macksville)

Rielly Laverty has spent much of the season in first grade. Picture: Macksville Sea Eagles RLFC

The second of the young Sea Eagles to spend much of the season in the top grade, the young half is an incredibly bright prospect who has the ability to challenge the line himself as well as manage the game when needed.

“He’s the rudder of the team. He’ll steer them around, he’ll talk them around, he’ll kick us into great field position and that’s where we get to build a bit of pressure, off the back of his kicking game.”

Brayth Ledger (Macksville)

The captain and fullback has been immense for the side this season. Strong and with great vision, he’s been a huge asset in both attack and defence.

“He’s a big body, he takes a lot to pull down,” said Spear. “He also reads the game really well and his talk from the back of the field helps our defensive out to no end.”

Toby Batten (Nambucca Heads)

The young half is one of the brightest young league prospects in the region.

Mature beyond his years and an excellent leader on the field, Batten has impressed first grade coach Warwick Jones throughout the course of 2024 and is also expected to line up on the bench in the first grade decider.

Batten represented the North Coast Bulldogs in the Laurie Daley Cup during the junior rep season. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

Cale Ogilvy (Nambucca Heads)

The hooker has been one of the Roosters’ best in 2024, tightening up the middle while also offering plenty of strike in attack.

“He’s tough, he’s fit and he causes teams a bit of grief out of dummy-half – he’s keeps them very honest,” said Batten. “He’s got a great running game and he’s just a tough, fit young man. He just goes all day and competes on everything.”

Rave Brazier (Nambucca Heads)

Playing with the 13 on his back, Brazier is Nambucca’s bulldozer in the middle that keeps things tight in defence and offers plenty with the ball in hand.

“Rave’s not overly big but he’s just really strong. He’s just one of those kids who’s just built for contact,” said Batten

Dwayne Roberts Jarrett (Nambucca Heads)

While he might not be the biggest body, the fullback is lightning quick and can turn a game with a moment of brilliance.

After a taste of top-grade footy throughout the year, Roberts Jarrett has come back to the under-18s a better player.

“He played a few games of reserve grade too, and his speed gives him the confidence to contest,” said Batten. “And since he’s come back into 18s he’s carried the ball into contact a lot more confidently.”

WOMEN’S TACKLE

Sawtell v Woolgoolga, 12pm

History is on the line in the second game of the day, with Sawtell and Woolgoolga to battle it out to be the inaugural winners of the Group 2 women’s tackle competition.

Having already claimed a small slice of history of its own by going through the season undefeated to take out the minor premiership, the Panthers will go into the game as favourites to pull off a famous double.

“The girls have worked their backsides off to get there, to be honest,” said coach Beau Klaassen. “I’ve been coaching for a fair few years and there’s a lot of commitment involved with the girls and they’re starting to reap the rewards a bit at this time of year.”

In a remarkable statistic, the side has conceded just 46 points in nine games, with the team storming into the grand final after defeating Macksville 22-0 in the major semi-final.

And while the team has plenty of talented players, the coach has cited the mentality as the key to its success.

“I think it’s their determination to win,” said Klaassen. “Every single one of them on the field turn up for each other and in our last two games against Macksville, the second-best side, we’ve been able to keep them to nil. So our goal line defence and desperation has been great not to leak any points and the girls have shown a real will to win.”

And with a slice of history on the line, the Panthers are determined to finish the job on Sunday.

“The girls have spoken about it themselves, they want to be the first Group 2 women’s tackle premiers. It’s definitely on top of the list to do,” said Klaassen. “They’ve done well so far, have been ticking off all the goals along the way, so hopefully they can go and finish the job.”

Looking to spoil Sawtell’s party is a resurgent Woolgoolga side, who snuck into the finals in fourth place before going on a run through the final series, defeating South Grafton 28-16 in the elimination final and then knocking over Macksville 8-4 in last weekend’s preliminary final.

“The South Grafton game was huge for us,” said Woolgoolga’s Ryan Hopkins. “We’d been flogged by them both times this year and to turn around to beat them in round one of the finals, that triggered the belief that we can do anything.

“And then to beat Macksville, who we hadn’t beaten before either, was great. They’re unstoppable at the moment in their attitude. It’s exciting.”

The Seahorses are full of confidence after a late-season charge. Picture: supplied

Hopkins has credited a large part of the success to coach Sharon McGrady.

“Sharon has been a huge part of our club in building its women’s tackle team. She coached our league tag team last year to its first grand final,” he said.

“She did a brilliant job there and she’s obviously built off the back of that. A lot of those league tag girls have actually stepped up and played tackle for the first time ever as well, which is great.

“And obviously with the addition of the girls who sat on the sideline waiting for tackle to come along, we’ve managed to pull together a side that was probably looking unlikely to be a grand final team heading into the finals, but the girls have just gone to another level with their self-belief and their ability.”

And although the team will go into the game as underdogs, there is plenty of belief that the Seahorses can pull off an upset.

“All 17 have the ability to turn nothing into something,” said Hopkins. “A lot of sides have those one or two key players that sort of carry them, whereas we’ve got the ability, the speed, we’ve got a little bit of size, the kicking game and a brilliant coach that has played at that elite level and instilled in the girls that anything is possible.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tina McRae (Sawtell)

The Panthers’ skipper has been an absolute standout in the front-row this season. While not the biggest player on the park, McRae been immense in the front-row, making plenty of yards through the middle and finishing the regular season as the top tryscorer with 17, an incredible eight clear of the next best.

“She’s just a fierce competitor and leads very well from the front for us,” said Klaassen.

Tina McRae has been one of the competition’s best in 2024. Picture: supplied

“She’s just fit, strong and she’s got pace as well. She’s quick for a forward and when other teams get a bit tired she tends to break the line and score or set-up points.”

Lianka Shepherd (Sawtell)

One of the unsung heroes of the side, Shepherd is a versatile player who normally starts in the middle and then moves out to the edges, where she has proven to be a handful all season.

“She’s full of energy, is a solid defender and a good ball-carrier,” said Klaassen. “She’s got the will and the want in her to go forward and she also brings a lot of controlled aggression in defence.”

Lily Davies-Jamieson (Sawtell)

Lily Davies-Jamieson has been a revelation for Sawtell. Picture: supplied

Skilful and tough, the 17-year-old five-eighth has been instrumental to the Panthers’ success in what is her first season playing against women.

“Her knowledge on the field in general and her willingness to get involved and not step back has been great,” said Klaassen.

Hannah McGrady (Woolgoolga)

Hannah McGrady in action for Woolgoolga. Picture: supplied

A talented halfback with plenty of footy nous, McGrady has been the Seahorses’ conductor for much of the season.

“She’s great with direction, she leads from the front. She has a good kicking game and is a real quality footballer,” said Hopkins.

Naomi Smith (Woolgoolga)

Lining up on the wing, Smith has got speed to burn and has proven to be a key attacking weapon for Woolgoolga, crossing for nine tries to sit second in the competition.

“She’s very fast. If we get her into a gap, she’ll be impossible to stop,” said Hopkins.

Naomi Smith has been one of Woolgoolga’s biggest attacking threats. Picture: supplied

Heather Orme (Woolgoolga)

Heather Orme scored a double in the Seahorses’ preliminary final win over Macksville. Picture: supplied

The captain of the side has been a real inspiration in the team’s debut season, getting through plenty of tough work in the middle and testing opposition sides with clever runs from hooker.

“She’s only a little build but she’s got a lot of heart,” said Hopkins. “She scored both tries for us out of dummy-half against Macksville on the weekend that got us to where we are.”

RESERVE GRADE

Macksville v Coffs Harbour, 1:30pm

It’ll be another example of the best team all year taking on the defending premiers when the Sea Eagles and Comets clash in reggies.

It has been close to a flawless campaign for the undefeated Macksville side, who went through the regular season with 11 wins and one draw to claim the minor premiership, before winning straight through to the grand final with a 34-24 victory over Coffs Harbour in the major semi-final.

In a sign of their dominance, the Sea Eagles finished six points clear at the top of the table with a points difference six times better than their grand final opponents the Comets (322 v 45).

Macksville captain-coach David Lindsay has led from the front all season. Picture: supplied

While a bit of luck with injuries has certainly helped the side throughout the season, captain-coach David Lindsay said much of the team’s success comes from the work of its forwards.

“We’ve got a big and fit forward pack. The fitness of the middles gets us on top,” he said.

They will be up against last year’s grand final winners Coffs Harbour, who will bring plenty of big-game experience into the clash.

“I think their success comes from the fact that they’ve got a good blend of old and young,” said Coffs president Steve Gooley.

“They’ve got a number of older, senior forwards in Blair Blanchette, Osooso Tuala and Vikram Atwal that have been there and done that. They’ve all won first grade grand finals in their careers and are back playing reggies with a whole lot of young blokes.”

Coffs Harbour has also a strong forward pack. Picture: Leigh Jensen

And with both sides led by strong forward packs, Gooley expects there to be a huge battle to win the middle.

“Our big forwards are the strength of our side,” he said. “But they’ve also got a big pack of forwards and a lot of experienced players who have played some first grade, so it’ll definitely a bit of an arm-wrestle on Sunday.”

And while Macksville will go into the game as favourites, having defeated the Comets twice this season, including most recently in the major semi-final a fortnight ago, the Coffs side will take confidence from its big-game players and the fact they held the Sea Eagles to an 18-all draw back in round one.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Rhiley Maxwell (Macksville)

Rhiley Maxwell can cause plenty of trouble in the halves. Picture: supplied

A crafty half with the ability to play off the cuff, Maxwell has laid on plenty of points for his outside men throughout the course of the season.

“If someone shoots out at him he’ll put on a bit of footwork and get through the line and get off a nice offload to a back-rower or centre,” said Lindsay.

Jai Whaddy (Macksville)

Jai Whaddy is a key man at the back for the Sea Eagles. Picture: supplied

A real organiser from the back, Whaddy has been crucial in keeping the Sea Eagles in shape defensively while also providing a spark with his carries out from the back.

“His talk from behind, just letting the fellas where to be in defence, is great,” said Lindsay. “He’s also really elusive coming back with the ball and sniffing in and around the backline.”

Luke Shields (Macksville)

Deep in Macksville’s engine room, the front-rower has been key to winning good field position all season.

“‘Horse’ does a lot of hard work through the middle, big carries and he can get a good offload away,” said Lindsay of Shields.

Luke Shields is another key player in the Sea Eagles’ pack. Picture: supplied

David Lindsay (Macksville)

The skipper of the team, Lindsay is a rock-solid middle forward who is excellent in defence and has proven to be a real attacking weapon close to the line, finishing the regular season with 14 tries to be four clear as the leading tryscorer.

Maxwell Cudmore (Coffs Harbour)

The Comets winger is a constant threat out wide with his elusiveness and nose for the tryline. His ability was highlighted by a double in Sunday’s preliminary final win against Sawtell.

“He’s a bit of a try-scoring machine and has been a consistent player in that team for the last couple of years. If he’s on, he could score a couple of tries on the weekend,” said Gooley.

Nathan Dyson (Coffs Harbour)

Coffs Harbour’s Nathan Dyson poses a real threat on the edges. Picture: Leigh Jensen

A powerful back-rower, Dyson has troubled opposition teams all season and poses a real threat with the ball on the edge.

“His power running could really make a difference in the grand final,” said Gooley.

Blair Blanchette (Coffs Harbour)

The captain-coach is a real leader for the Comets in the front row. Tough, rock-solid in defence and always willing to tuck the ball under his arm for a thankless carry, Blanchette will play a key role in setting the platform for his side against the strong Macksville pack.

“He’s always strong, he’s always there for the big moments,” said Gooley. “He’ll make a difference in the grand final.”

FIRST GRADE

Nambucca Heads v Woolgoolga, 3pm

It’ll be the minor premiers versus the defending premiers as Nambucca and Woolgoolga clash in a blockbuster first grade grand final to finish off the season.

Interestingly, the clash will see the team with the longest active Group 2 premiership drought face off against the team with the shortest.

Nambucca will be out to end a 28-year dry spell that stretches back to 1996, while Woolgoolga will be looking to go back-to-back after claiming the club’s maiden premiership – and in the process breaking a five-decade drought – last year.

Indeed, with a grand final win already under their belts, the Seahorses will be looking to lean on their big-game experience to get them over the line again.

Woolgoolga is going for back-to-back premierships. Picture: Leigh Jensen

“We’ve been there last year, so a lot of the boys know what it’s all about and how to get the job done. I don’t think anyone will be overawed by the occasion,” said coach Sam Sinclair, who emphasised three factors that are key to the side’s success.

“I think it’s just about those three things,” he said. “Effort on effort, completing our sets and not giving away any cheap penalties.”

While Woolgoolga was outstanding in last weekend’s preliminary final hammering of Sawtell, the side will need to be at its best to defeat the Roosters, who have been far and away the best team throughout the season.

By far the best attacking and defensive side, Nambucca has players who can create something out of nothing, with the team’s path to the grand final capping off a wonderful revival after only just returning to the competition from a three-season recess in 2022.

“It is something special, we’ve come so far in such a short time,” said coach Warwick Jones. “We’re just really lucky to have the culture where we want it at the moment and we’ve got some good players who want to be at the club.

Nambucca is chasing its first premiership since 1996. Picture: Leigh Jensen

“A few boys moved back home and want to be involved, and it’s good that the whole club is in a good position at the moment.”

And while Nambucca will go into the game as favourites, Woolgoolga can take confidence from its 22-18 victory over the Seahorses in round 12 as it looks to spring an upset and go back to back.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tyronne Roberts-Davis (Nambucca Heads)

Tyronne Roberts-Davis is a key man for the Roosters. Picture: Nambucca Heads Roosters RLFC

The skipper and former Gold Coast Titan will be looking to emulate his father Brett, who led the Roosters to premiership glory back in 1996.

Last year’s Group 2 best-and-fairest award winner, Roberts-Davis is an absolute class above at fullback and showed just how good he can be with a brilliant performance in Nambucca’s nailbiting major semi-final win against Sawtell a fortnight ago.

Logan Jones (Nambucca Heads)

The competition’s leading tryscorer in the regular season with 13, Jones has been another standout in Nambucca’s excellent season.

While not only a threat in attack, the halfback has been a key player in managing games for the Roosters with his kicking in general play and last-tackle options.

Logan Jones has been outstanding in 2024. Picture: Nambucca Heads Roosters RLFC

Jay Melrose (Nambucca Heads)

Arguably one of the signings of the season after returning to the club in 2024, Melrose brings plenty of X-factor to the Roosters with the ability to strike from anywhere on the field.

While he normally wears the 13 on his back, Melrose at times pops up on the edges, where he has proven to be more than a handful for opposition defences with 10 tries over the course of the regular season.

Jake Elphick (Woolgoolga)

The size of a middle forward but with the skills of a halfback, Elphick might normally have the number 10 on his back but he certainly doesn’t play like a conventional prop.

In fact, he showed off his skills with a cross-field kick and cut-out ball to set up the team’s opening two tries against Sawtell in the preliminary final last weekend.

Jake Elphick has been in excellent form for the Seahorses. Picture: Leigh Jensen

“He’s pretty deceiving like that. I think he grew up playing in the halves but kept growing and ended up playing in the middle. He’s a quality player,” said Sinclair.

“He’s really stepped up the last couple of weeks and is a really big reason we’re playing as good as we are. You could put him anywhere: in the halves, up front, you could put him on an edge – wherever he is he’ll do his job for the team.”

Dane O’Hehir (Woolgoolga)

Safe under the high ball, a dangerous runner and someone with an excellent passing game, O’Hehir is another one of the competition’s premier players and has been key to Woolgoolga’s success in recent years.

The fullback showed off his brilliance with a stunning performance against Sawtell in last weekend’s preliminary final, scoring a double and causing absolute havoc with a series of high balls that turned the game as the Panthers sought to stage a comeback.

Shayde Perham (Woolgoolga)

Shayde Perham provides plenty of X-factor on the edges. Picture: Leigh Jensen

When it comes to strike power, few compare to the centre, who can create break the line and create something from anywhere on the field.

“He’s a big body but he moves really well. He’s got a good work rate as well,” said Sinclair. “He’ll have 20 carries a game at least and two carries a set – he’s an absolute defender’s nightmare.”