COFFS Harbour Comets answered their critics by winning their third game in a row with a 30-20 win over Orara Valley Axemen last weekend.
Warren Gilkinson’s history lesson provided a sense of pride in the club’s jumper and the players responded.
Port Macquarie Sharks are still undefeated and have now amassed 224 points, but still short of last year’s premiers Sawtell Panthers on 294.
However, the Panthers are four premiership points behind after their demolition of Bellingen 66-16.
These look to be the only two clubs capable of winning the competition at this stage.
For the first time in many years picking the dreaded wooden spoon is impossible with so many inconsistent performances.
This week is the last game of the first round before a general bye for the long weekend.
Port Sharks travel to Woolgoolga hoping to continue their great form.
The outstanding Sharks backline has speed to burn and will be hard for the home side to contain.
Sharks five eighth Hamilton Hughes still runs across field too much, giving the opposition time to move up. Rival sides should take advantage of this.
However, 19-year-old centres Kieran Vale and Adam Greenaway can score from anywhere on the field.
Woolgoolga welcomes back Matt Toshack and Wade Gerhard from injury and returned to the winners’ list with a morale-boosting victory last week.
The Seahorses will be keen to show their great band of supporters their true fighting spirit, but it won’t help losing top forward Matt Grayson with a broken arm.
Orara Valley Axemen are waiting to get off the bottom of the table when they host Nambucca Heads.
The Axemen just can’t finish off games and have led all their matches in what has been a disappointing start to the year.
Nambucca won its first three games, but have lost the last four, completely undoing its great start.
Macksville is at home to Bellingen, with both sides on the end of a thrashing last week.
But they are third and fourth on the ladder, with only a point separating them, so a victory here is of the utmost importance.
Coffs Comets travel to Kempsey for a vital clash that will decide their season.
The Mustangs had the bye last week and will be at full strength and confident after beating Bellingen two weeks ago.
Sawtell has the bye and will have co-coach Rohan Louden back for the next game, but the Panthers have lost man mountain Logan Wright with a broken hand for two months.
NRL update
My thoughts on State of Origin. Yes, I was sitting in the rain next to those Maroon wigs in game one.
The NSW selectors again picked reputations and not form players in their right positions.
Sack the selectors. There are 16 No.6s and No.7s playing every week and when you take out the Queenslanders and Kiwi’s there is still 10 to pick from.
Also, they are picking a team around Kurt Gidley, who isn’t really that good.
Some selectors have been there for the last four losing campaigns.
One thing is for sure, Jonathon Thurston is up there with Wally Lewis as an Origin great.
I think Trent Barrett will be the NSW number six, with Jarrod Hayne at fullback.
Will Ricky Stewart see out the season? I don’t think so.
The Bulldogs have lost their bark with only three wins from 11 games.
A couple of ordinary games Friday and Sunday, with the Sea Eagles and Broncos looking the best of the round. Good tipping (my tips in capital letters).
NRL Round 13
Friday: Eels v STORM, Bulldogs v TIGERS.
Saturday: PANTHERS v Knights, ROOSTERS v Sharks.
Sunday: Warriors v DRAGONS, RAIDERS v Titans, SEA EAGLES v Broncos.
Monday: RABBITOHS v Cowboys.
Men of League
Sawtell RSL is the venue for the North Coast branch’s Sports Lunch on Friday, June 18 from 2pm.
Former internationals will be guest speakers as we continue to establish this great charity organisation.
All members are encouraged to attend and bring a non-member with them and enjoy the company and share some rugby stories.
Tickets available at Jack Simmons Menswear, Coffs Harbour Racing Club, Nambucca Hotel Macksville, Golden Sands Nambucca Heads, The Coffs Hotel, Club Coffs Club or see me at Bellbowrie Motors.
The Men of League will be at Woolgoolga on Sunday looking for new members and coin donations for a tie pin, so come and find out more about us.
Group 2 match of the round
Woolgoolga v Port Macquarie
Woolgoolga Sportsground, Sunday, 2.45pm
Woolgoolga
Scott Street
Jesse Dunning
Seb Cottam
Marley Weller
Sam Sinclair
Tim McManus
Matt Toshack
Sammy Van Hammond
Ben Gorman
Adam Clark
Harinda Husna
Kelsie Asher
Ryan Balnave
Zac Louder
Coach: Steve Gooley
Port Macquarie
Harley Gore
David Davis
Kieran Vale
Adam Greenaway
Nac Kini Kini
Hamilton Hughes
Clinton Hughes
Matt Blake
Jeremy Lang
Chaise Brock
Danny Graham
Joel Asher
Edward Vale-Tighe
Ben Cudmore
Coach: Tony Pascoe
Other round 9 games: Macleay Valley v Coffs Harbour, Orara Valley v Nambucca Heads, Macksville v Bellingen. Bye: Sawtell.
Barrett’s best: Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Orara Valley, Macksville.
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