Group 2 Rugby League: Woolgoolga Seahorses make brilliant start to 2025

Halfway through the season three of their teams remain undefeated and on top of the table. Just what is behind the success at Woolgoolga?

Woolgoolga has made an eviable start to the season. Picture: Leigh Jensen

There is certainly something special going on at Woolgoolga.

After nine rounds the club is in a rather remarkable position in Group 2.

Three of the Seahorses’ four teams – first grade, reserve grade and women’s tackle – are leading their respective competitions.

And what’s more, not only are they sitting on top of the ladder, those three sides are also undefeated, with firsts and reserves having won all six of their games and the women’s side winning four from four.

The under-18s side is sitting in fourth place on the ladder, leaving the club with the record of 18 wins and four losses from 22 games in 2025.

Captain-coach Jake Elphick has placed a big emphasis on defence this season. Picture: Leigh Jensen

So what is the secret to the success?

“I feel like we worked very hard on our defence in the pre-season,” said first grade captain-coach Jake Elphick.

“My focus was to be a good defensive club throughout all the grades, we’ve worked hard on that and it’s starting to come through, which is nice to see.”

Indeed, a look at the stats shows that defence is where Woolgoolga has really separated itself from the rest.

With very similar records, firsts and reserves have conceded 72 and 74 points respectively in their six games, at an average of just 12 points per game.

Meanwhile the women’s team has been even more ruthless, conceding just 20 points at an average of just five per game.

After going down to Sawtell in last year’s grand final, the women’s team has been bolstered by the return of former NRLW player Sharon McGrady, who has added that extra level of class to the side.

“The girls have got a very quality side, especially with Sharon McGrady coming back and playing this year. It makes them very hard to beat,” said Elphick.

As for the men’s side of things, the return of strike centre Sione Fangupo and forward Cal Tapine, along with the arrival of gun halfback Brenton Cochrane, has helped to create a very competitive senior squad for Seahorses, who won broke a 55-year drought by winning the grand final in 2023 and were beaten grand finalists last year.

“I think adding just a couple of quality players in our first grade side has helped,” said Elphick.

Woolgoolga’s women’s team have been untouchable so far this season. Picture: Leigh Jensen

“We’ve got a few guys who played first grade last year, who played in that grand final, who’ve gone back and just really strengthened up reserve grade. It’s so good to have depth there.

“We’re a tight club, everyone gets along real well and that makes a big difference. When everyone gets along and everyone’s playing well it’s a big positive.”

Indeed, while he has some quality footballers at his disposal, the skipper believes that club culture has been one of the driving factors behind Woolgoolga’s fantastic start to the season.

“I’ve been involved with other clubs before where you’ve got your culture divides between first and reserve grade but we’re a very tight-knit group throughout our seniors.

“We all get along really well and everyone fights to try and get a first grade position, which is what I want to see.

“It makes it easy for me as a coach to have blokes who want to play first grade, who want to perform well and train hard because I can give them a go and I know they’re not going to let me down.”