THE stage is set and the curtain comes down on yet another eventful Group 2 season.
It’s such an emotional day for the clubs involved, the players and the coaches who will cherish the memories, so give it all you’ve got.
Macksville sat back and waited last Sunday as first grade minor premiers Sawtell Panthers played against the unpredictable Bellingen Magpies, with the Panthers booking their place in the decider.
The Magpies showed great determination, and with injuries to star players Brad Hart, Blair Sankey and Bert Gray managed to lead the game for 60 minutes.
The Panthers looked out of touch with dropped balls causing frustration and were behind 16-4 at one stage.
Sawtell captain-coach Rohan Louden led the way for forwards Dan Waterson, Dave Buttriss and fullback Jarrod Carruthers, who scored a vital try under the posts to give the Panthers the 20-18 lead with only four minutes remaining.
The Magpies’ gallant display came to an end, but coach Josh White would have to be proud of the way they hung in.
AJ Gilbert, Dion Marr and Brendan Myers had great games for the Bellingen side.
NRL update
Last year’s premiers Manly have bowed out without a fight and halfback Matt Orford had a shocker against Melbourne last Friday, but will still be offered big money to stay, which astounds me.
Manly’s reserve grade side, the Sunshine Eagles coached by former Coffs Comet Brendon (Pearson) Costin, won the Queensland Cup with last year’s Orara Axemen players Ryan Walker and Hayden Fisher and Sawtell’s Dale Middleton and Steve Spenser having great season.
Minor premiers the Dragons, after a shock defeat by the Eels, now have to defeat the Broncos in Brisbane and Storm in Melbourne to make the grand final.
Wayne Bennett’s return to Suncorp won’t be pleasant, with the Dragons having won one game in five weeks.
The Eels’ return to form will see those jerseys out again on Friday night and will have to be at their best to beat a full-strength Titans.
This week’s fixtures:
Friday, 7.45pm: Eels v Titans. Winner to play the Bulldogs.
Saturday, 7.45pm: Broncos v Dragons. Winner to play the Storm
Next week
I will give readers the full grand final report, team, player and rookie of the year in all grades.
If you have any thoughts you can email me at peter@bellbowriemotors.com.au
< p>Allen Gillett Oval, Macksville
FIRST GRADE, 2.30pm
MACKSVILLE
David Pickvance
Nigel Hookey
Steven Kim
Duanne Button
Jesse McEwen
Michael Ronan
Neville Donovan
Bobby Jarrett
Grant Collison
Chris Martin
Luke Cartwright
Djaan Jarrett
Grant Coleman
Gary Jarrett
James Collison
Ed Vale-Tighe
Glen Weatherall
Matt Byrne
Coach: Nev Donovan
SAWTELL
Jarrod Curruthers
Dean McLaughlin
Adam Louden
Damien Irvine
Mark Pledger
Rohan Louden
Bobbie Kennedy
Jeremy Wood
Luke Hemsworth
Ryan Prevett
Grant Boyd
David Buttriss
Dan Waterson
Rob Tulenew
Neil McCarthy
Aaron Byrnes
Nathan Davies
Jason Usher
Coach: Rohan Louden
Macksville is into its seventh grand final in 10 years and hasn’t lost a game at home this year.
But for captain-coach Nev Donovan, that means nothing in grand finals.
The Panthers might have limped in, but will be back to full strength with centre Rob Tulenew and Nathan Davies available, and they weren’t minor premiers for nothing.
Macksville forwards Chris Martin, Bobby Jarrett and big replacements Ed Vale-Tighe and Glen Weatherall will test any pack.
The Panthers will need all the experience from Ryan Prevett, Dave Buttriss and Grant Boyd.
Macksville’s exciting brand of footy is hard to combat and can score tries from anywhere on the field.
Big game players David Pickvance, Gary Jarrett and Grant Coleman will have a great influence on the younger players.
With two captain-coaches on the field to ensure they get the best from their players, this contest will have the supporters on their feet and ensure another huge crowd to rival last year’s.
I am tipping the home side to finish on top in the last 20 minutes.
RESERVE GRADE, 1pm
Port Macquarie
Jake Law
Todd Harvey
Michael Kelly
Dylan Ramm
Frank Vale
Nick McCabe
Aaron Ison
Clint McCabe
Brodie Barnett
Nathan Kelly
Andrew Gudgeon
Chase Brock
Ryan Edwards
Chris Green
Andrew Stewart
Mark Temple
Kurt Maloney
Coach: Steve Manton
Woolgoolga
Fraser Duyrea
Shannon Burrows
Marley Weller
Morgan Regler
Jesse During
Matt Smith
Cole Duncombe
Nathan Graham
Blake Seymour
Jason Stanford
Ryan Balnave
Jim McNabb
Andrew Jeffery
Neil Baker
Justin Crossley
John Juratte
Liam Diver
Coach: Grant Vincent
Referee: Cameron Grace
PREVIEW
Woolgoolga Seahorses, under first-year coach and former Axeman and Comet Grant Vincent, have been in great form and will again use their big forwards, led by Neil Baker, Jason Stanford and Nathan Graham, to advantage.
But they will get plenty of resistance from the Port Sharks big men Nathan Kelly, Clint McCabe and Kurt Malony. The battle of halfbacks could decide the game, with Port’s Nick McCale and Seahorses’ Cole Duncombe.
Woolgoolga’s trump is hooker Blake Seymour and I expect them to take the title.
under-18s, 11am
Nambucca Heads
Kyle Cohen
Daniel Kelly
Rye Palmer
Jayden Austen
Justin Saker
Matt Archer
Cameron Cohen
Jordan Hollis
Brad Field
Ned Hicks
Alex Hull
Jack Seymour
Ben Hall
Pat Sneesby
Michael Ryan
Nick Welsh
Lucas Leisha
Simon Ella
Coach: Hilton Humpheries
Sawtell
Michael Hendry
Chris Dickenson
Jono Jones
Luke Ukelstu
Karrunny Pearce
James Sanders
Tim Davis
Brian Dulin
Aaron Stevens
Jono Barrington
Tom Adams
Zade Goodenough
Gareth Evans
Jason Gerecs
Jarrod Long
David Angus
John Fogarty
Warren Jarrett
Coach:Paul Davies
Referee: R Pettit
PREVIEW
Minor premiers Nambucca Roosters have a lot of potential stars and have been the best all year and will start favourites.
Roosters’ forwards Alex Hull, Ned Hicks and Brad Field will engage in heavy work against Sawtell’s Gareth Evans, Brian Dulin and Aaron Stevens.
Playmakers Matt Archer (Roosters) and Jamie Saunders (Panthers) will be looking for exciting fullbacks Kyle Cohen and Michael Hendry to use their speed. Watch for the centres Jayden Austin (Roosters) and Jono Jones (Panthers) to stage a mighty clash.
I expect the Roosters’ outstanding form to continue in what will be an outstanding encounter.
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