Group 2: Woolgoolga Seahorses and Nambucca Roosters take part in inaugural women’s tackle game

In amongst all the big wins, upsets and star performances, a slice of rugby league history was created in Group 2 over the weekend.

The Woolgoolga Seahorses made history by winning the first-ever Group 2 women’s tackle game. Picture: supplied

Local footy returned over the weekend as the senior rugby league season kicked off across the region.

And in amongst all the big wins, upsets and star performances from round one, a slice of history was created as the Group 2 women’s tackle competition took place for the first time.

The Nambucca Roosters and Woolgoolga Seahorses had the honour of playing the first ever game at Coronation Park, with the Seahorses prevailing 18-4 in what was huge celebration for rugby league in the area.

“It was a great showdown, kicking off the first-ever women’s tackle game,” said Woolgoolga captain-coach Sharon McGrady.

“It was also an exciting feeling to finally have tackle footy happening. I know a lot of women have waited a long time for this.”

And even though Nambucca went down in the match, the sentiment was similar for Roosters coach Larissa Chandler.

“It was great to be part of a historic game for Nambucca,” she said. “I put it to the girls that we were playing a very special game and they went out and did the job I asked them to do, which was to play for each other, the club and with their heart.”

A bumper crowd full of anticipation greeted the teams as plenty of emotions were kicking around before the kick-off.

“There were a few nerves, I think everyone was quite nervous. But once they had their first run they just switched on and killed it. I was so happy with how they played,” said McGrady

“I just said, ‘Go out there, enjoy the game and have fun.’ We had a game plan to just hold onto the ball, get to our kicks and just tackle all day.”

And while the players were riding an emotional rollercoaster, it was clear that they weren’t the only ones who had an appreciation for the occasion.

“Not only were the women excited but the crowd was so excited as well,” said McGrady.

“They were cheering and making sound effects to the big hits, the line breaks and just some of the plays the girls were pulling off, because they hadn’t ever seen that before in Group 2. I’d never seen it packed like that for a league tag game – and even some of the men’s games.”

The Nambucca Heads Roosters women's tackle team. Picture: supplied

On the back of rapid expansion of women’s rugby league and the establishment of the NRLW in recent years, the launch of the six-team Group 2 tackle competition – which includes Grafton, Macksville, Nambucca Heads, South Grafton, Sawtell and Woolgoolga – is a watershed moment for the game in the region and provides a local opportunity for those who previously would have had to choose between moving away or playing league tag.

“I had to move to Sydney to play,” said McGrady, who played for the Sydney Roosters in the NRLW in 2018 and went on to represent the Indigenous All Stars team a year later.

“I know a lot of girls who have had to move away even to play at a local level.”

The establishment of the competition has also ensured that many younger female league fans now have the chance to do something others simply couldn’t have done in the past.

“My brothers played footy, my kids love it but I never played organised tackle,” said Chandler, whose Nambucca team played in the Group 3-based North Coast Women’s Premiership last yea.

“I always played backyard footy with the brothers and the cousins though.”

Woolgoolga captain-coach Sharon McGrady moved to Sydney for her chance to play tackle football. Picture: Brett Costello

And while the record books state that Woolgoolga took out the first game 18-4 and South Grafton defeated the Ghosts 28-14 in the second, it’s clear that regardless of the results, the opening weekend was a success.

“Everyone was so excited and they were saying ‘I can’t wait for next week,’” said McGrady.

“I’ve also had some girls come and join now after watching us. We can only have 19 players and people are still trying to come and join the team – now we’ve got about 26 players. It’s really good to see that a lot more ladies want to get involved after watching the game.”

And while all six teams will be out to create history by winning the inaugural premiership, there is a sense that the women’s game as a whole will be the biggest winner.

“It doesn’t matter what the score is,” said Chandler.” I always tell my girls the same thing: ‘Go out and have fun.’”