Rugby League Central Coast: Top talking points from rescheduled round three

After a controversial suspension and 18 months out of the game, Erina’s Lincoln Tubridy has returned to the top of Central Coast rugby league.

David Fifita (right) was injured in Kincumber’s loss to Woy Woy. Picture: Julian Andrews

From symbolic victories, to inspirational comebacks and clinical performances, there was plenty of exciting action during the rescheduled round three of the Rugby League Central Coast competition.

Check out some of the top talking points below.

TUBRIDY ‘BACK TO HIS BEST’

Lincoln Tubridy has been in outstanding form in his return in 2025. Picture: Sue Graham

Erina’s outstanding start to the season continued over the weekend with a clinical 38-0 win over Ourimbah. And while the team stretched its unbeaten start to 2025 out to five matches, another really pleasing aspect for the side has been the form of fullback Lincoln Tubridy.

After 18 months out of the game following controversial long-term suspension midway through 2023, the former Central Coast player of the year has been outstanding in his return to the Eagles.

“Lincoln Tubridy, after a couple of years off, is back to his best and was phenomenal (on the weekend),” said coach Dane Allen. “He scored one and laid on at least a couple.”

And while opponents and footy fans might think that his return to the top has been seamless, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the gun fullback.

“He definitely had a few doubts about whether he still had it,” said Allen. “I played a lot of footy with Lincoln and I’ve coached him a lot and I’ve never heard him doubt what he could do. But with what he’s been through it has been a big hurdle for him to come back.

“But the way he’s playing for us, he’s a class act and has been phenomenal each week. I’m stoked to see him back because he’s a close friend of mine as much as he is a player.

“To see him come back and play the way he has been has actually been quite emotional at times. To see him enjoy himself and see the impact he’s having on our team is fantastic. He’s been our most influential player most weeks.”

Tubridy’s return has put an end to his 18-month exile and seen him recapture his passion for the game following his controversial 10-match ban for an incident during round nine of the 2023 season. The decision and process left many club officials shocked and disappointed, while Tubridy took the 2024 season off in the wake of the saga.

“He got really disillusioned with rugby league,” said Allen. “But for him to come back and play the way he is, is great. He’s a resilient bastard and he’s playing really well.”

TERRIGAL WIN ‘MEANT ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING’

Terrigal broke through for its first win of the season. Picture: Sue Graham

Arguably the story of the weekend was Terrigal breaking through for its first win of the season with a gutsy 20-6 win over Berkeley Vale.

After a difficult opening three games that saw the side concede 118 points and score just six, the young Sharks’ side – which featured nine teenagers and a front-row with a combined six games of first grade experience – raced out to a 14-0 lead before sealing the two points.

The victory was particularly important for the club, which in the off-season embarked on a new era by overhauling its playing squad and placing a heightened focus on the club’s local juniors.

While thrilled with the win, coach Aaron Groom said that it is just the start of what he hopes is ongoing success.

“It was a milestone victory for us, but it’s also not the pinnacle. I know what these boys have, I’ve said it to them and I say it publicly everywhere: I will be here until we win a competition, and I know the squad we have is the squad to do it.

“So yes, the win meant absolutely everything, but at the same time we go back to work, we recover, go back to camp and go again next week. It’ll do everything in terms of confidence for the boys and that means everything for me.”

The Sharks have taken a new approach in 2025. Picture: Sue Graham

Despite the difficult start to the season, Groom firmly believes the club is on the right track to rebuilding itself as a local heavyweight.

“We’re putting the culture first, putting local back into local football, we’re trying to do the right thing and the boys deserve everything,” he said, who noted that while most clubs were cursing the recent wet weather, it proved to be a blessing for his young chargers.

“The rained-off games have been good for us; it was about getting back into training, getting back into what I call ‘camp’ and rebuilding the trust within the team because they’re some of the most talented footballers that I’ve seen,” he said.

“I’ve upped their training to three days a week and I still get a full squad, all three days. Their buy-in has been phenomenal. And like anything in life, if you really want something and are willing to do the work, you’ll eventually get there. I’m happy for them because they just keep showing up.”

INJURIES WREAK HAVOC IN THRILLER

Luke Moore was forced from the field early in his side’s win over Kincumber. Picture: Sue Graham

There were plenty of tries, a stirring comeback and a breakthrough win in what was an early contender for game of the season, but Woy Woy and Kincumber have been left licking their wounds after injuries to key players.

It all started in the first set of the game when Woy Woy skipper Luke Moore was forced from the field with what the Roosters fear is a serious pectoral injury.

Moore’s absence in the middle proved to be a hammer blow for the side, who conceded four first half tries to trail 18-6 at the break.

“We were already sort of struggling with injuries, second grade only had 14 players and we had 15 fresh, then we lost our captain Luke Moore, who’s an 80-minute middle, in the first set of the game, which was a massive loss for us,” said Woy Woy coach Blake McLean.

However things evened up in the second half when Kincumber captain-coach David Fifita was forced from the field with what also appeared to be a serious injury.

This was ultimately a key moment in the match as the Roosters scored three second half tries of their own to finish strong and win 26-22.

BRAGGING RIGHTS ON OFFER IN FAMILY AFFAIR

Kincumber’s David Fifita faced off with brother and Woy Woy coach Blake McLean in round three. Picture: Sue Graham

There were more than two points on offer at MacKillop Oval in what was very much a family affair for the coaches of Kincumber and Woy Woy.

In a clash straight out of the backyard, Kincumber captain-coach David Fifita and Woy Woy mentor Blake McLean are actually brothers, which added an extra layer to the contest.

At one stage it looked like Fifita was going to single-handedly get his side as home as he lead the Kincumber pack during a rampaging first half.

“They moved David Fifita into the middle, it was no secret they were trying to knock the front door down on us,” said McLean.

However Fifita’s injury midway through the second half helped to open the door for the Roosters, who eventually ran out four-point winners.

While very pleased with the two points, a pre-game agreement meant that the victory was even sweeter for the Woy Woy boss.

“We actually did have a wager: he was giving me a 30-point start, so we covered that pretty easily,” laughed McLean.