Collett back to try-scoring best
By Tim Howard
Grafton Ghosts try scoring wizard Dylan Collett has overturned a 2024 drought in style, touching down four times as his team romped to a 28-10 win over the Coffs Harbour Comets.
The Comets, languishing at the foot of the Group 2 Rugby League table, came to Frank McGuren Field, desperate for a win to open their account for the season.
The first 20 minutes was an arm wrestle as the game swept from end to end, with both teams threatening to score, but unable to cross the line.
The Ghosts finally broke through midway through the half, turning a stirring defensive effort into points.
The Comets were hammering the Ghosts line and were unlucky not to score, with last ditch Ghosts defence holding them up over the line twice in two minutes.
A raking clearing kick from fullback Toby McIntosh turned into a brilliant 40-20, putting the Ghosts on attack inside the Coffs’ quarter.
The ball swung across the field toward the left edge, where Collett loves to attack.
Just a few metres from the line, he ran onto a short pass from hooker Mason Graham and spun out of a tackle to put the ball down around 10 metres in from touch.
Halfback Cooper Woods converted to make the score 6-0 to the home team.
The Ghosts were in again 10 minutes later courtesy of a bullocking run from big prop Oliver Percy.
Running onto a short ball from lock Jordan Gallagher, Percy turned a routine hit up into points, dragging three defenders with him over the try line.
Woods converted again to give the Ghosts a handy 12-0 lead heading into the break.
But the Comets were able to make a dent in the lead just before half time when they finally were able to capitalise on a couple of Ghosts handling errors that gifted the visitors good field position.
Attacking down the right edge, big centre Marty Ferguson brushed through some ineffectual tackles to score in the right corner.
The second half began in similar fashion to the first, with both sides trying to assert themselves.
The Comets created several close calls close to the Ghosts line but a combination of stiff defence and poor attacking options denied them a chance to narrow the lead.
The scores remained at 12-4 until 15 minutes from time when Collett ran onto a sweetly timed pass from second rower Jake Martin, which put him into the clear.
He swerved inside the fullback and touched down just to the left of the uprights to give Woods the easiest shot at goal, which he converted.
Five minutes later Collett was in again, this time receiving a popped pass on the try line and virtually falling across the line to score.
Woods pushed his conversion to the right of the posts to give a 22-4 scoreline.
Collett showed his value in defence from the restart when Ferguson managed to tap back the short kick off.
The Ghosts skipper was the only player to show any urgency to dive on the bouncing ball.
The final minutes of the game became a free-for-all as Coffs swept the ball downfield and lost possession in the Ghosts quarter.
In turn the Ghosts counter attacked down the right side with McIntosh breaking free. Two passes later Collett ran onto a pass and touched down under the posts. Woods kicked the goal to give the Ghosts a 28-4 lead with two minutes left on the clock.
The Comets were able to score a consolation try with Ferguson picking up his second try just before the siren sounded.
Curry nailed the sideline conversion to make the final score 28-10.
The lopsided score did not do justice to the effort Coffs Harbour made on the day.
They probably had equal field position stats to the Ghosts, but found the Ghosts goal line defence more difficult to break.
The Grafton Ghosts made marginally more chances, but were ruthless in taking them and this accounted for the comfortable scoreline in their favour.
On Saturday the South Grafton Rebels slumped to their fourth loss in five games, going down 26-14 in the grand final replay against Woolgoolga.
The Rebels started brilliantly and were leading the Seahorses 10-0 until they allowed Woolgoolga fullback Dane O’Hehir to score just before half time.
Big centre Shayde Perham scored early in the second half to level the scores at 10-10.
From there it was all Woolgoolga as half Tyler Murden, then Perham and O’Hehir scored tries, which Murden converted.
Rebels centre Nick McGrady’s try in the 62nd minute was the only Rebels score in the second half.
Next Sunday the Grafton Ghosts take on Woolgoolga at Solitary Islands Sports Ground Field 1 and the Rebels have the bye.
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