Woolgoolga FC Secures Double Grand Final Berth with Grit and Glory

By Ian Rogers

In a remarkable display of determination and skill, both the women’s and men’s teams of Woolgoolga FC have secured their spots in the Premier League Grand Final, scheduled for Saturday, 7 September, at C.ex Coffs International Stadium.

The Woolgoolga Wildcats, despite finishing 15 points behind the Coffs City United Lionesses in the regular season, delivered an unforgettable performance to clinch a 4-3 victory in extra time. The Wildcats’ resilience was on full display as they overcame a 3-1 deficit, with standout moments from Tash Mackie and goalkeeper Abby Nudd turning the tide in their favour.

Mackie’s 77th-minute free kick and her equalising header late in the match set the stage for Chloe Webb’s dramatic extra-time winner, sending the Wildcats into the Women’s HIT 105.5 North Coast Premier League Grand Final against the Urunga Raiders.

The men’s team added to the celebration with a gritty 2-0 victory over the Urunga Raiders. Jimmy Palmer’s 14th-minute goal and James Gorrie’s decisive strike in the 72nd minute secured Woolgoolga’s place in the Men’s Grand Final, where they will face Northern Storm.

The stage is set for an exciting day of football at C.ex Coffs International Stadium, with Woolgoolga FC aiming to complete a historic double triumph.

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Roosters try blitz seals grand final

By Tim Howard

The Nambucca Roosters will be crowing for a week after they comprehensively outplayed defending premiers Woolgoolga to secure a long-awaited Group 2 rugby league premiership.

Nambucca set up the win with a try-scoring blitz between the 15 minute mark and 28th minute of the opening half as the Coffs Harbour International Stadium on Sunday.

It was Nambucca’s first premiership since the 1996 win over Orara.

Until then it looked an even game as both teams tried to assert dominance in the opening stanza.

High kicks proved a problem for both defences and it was only scrambling defence on the line that stopped tries as kicks bounced or were dropped close to the line.

Nambucca began to slip into the ad-lib style of play around the 10 minute mark and came close to scoring when centre Willy Baker flicked a pass out that just slipped from the grasp of winger Beau Langford.

It was a sign of things to come.

At the 15th minute mark hard working lock Jay Melrose put a dent in the Woolgoolga defensive line about 20 metres out and five-eighth Tyreece Sines saw his chance.

He jumped into dummy half and fired a pass to Baker who stepped off his right foot, accelerated and with tacklers clinging to him, stretched out across the line to score the opening try.

Fullback Tyrone Roberts-Davis nailed the conversion to put his team 6-0 up.

But he almost blew the kick off when Woolgoolga smashed the ball long and hard at the posts.

As the ball sailed over the cross bar, he reached up to catch it over his head only to have the ball brush his fingertips and roll over the dead ball line.

The Roosters regained their composure and the ball from a short drop out.

With a series of quick play the balls they marched the ball upfield and Sines launched a towering bomb into midfield, which the Woolgoolga defenders let bounce.

The ball bounded towards the sideline and in a scramble for the ball, the winger was bundled over the sideline.

The Sea Horses paid for their mistake as Melrose capitalised on a couple of quick play the balls when he received a pass from the dummy half, stepped off his right foot and shot between two back pedalling forwards, Jackson Gisinger and Ethan Duncombe, to score near the posts.

Woolgoolga were unlucky at the restart when Roberts Davis dropped the ball, but referee Blake Smoothy ruled a knock back, much to the dismay of the Woolgoolga supporters.

The Sea Horses had a great chance to hit back a few minutes later and Duncombe claimed a try when he dived for the line from a couple of metres out only to be ruled to have fallen short.

The Nambucca defence was magnificent and on the next play forced a knock on, to give themselves a rest from Woolgoolga’s relentless attack.

The Sea Horse were hurling themselves into tackles, but it backfired when the referee penalised them for a high tackle as they tried to pin the Roosters in their half.

The Rooster shut down Woolgoolga’s dangerous second rower Jackson Gisinger during the Group 2 grand final at the Coffs Harbour International Sports Centre on Sunday.

Allowed out of their half, Nambucca turned on the razzle-dazzle for their next try.

Second rower Brody Simons set it up when he found centre Dane Saunders flying down the left edge.

Caught by the defence he flicked a pass infield which bounced for Roberts-Davis to pick up and sprint 10 metres to score.

At 18-0 up Nambucca were on fire five minutes later they put a hand on the premiership trophy with their fourth try of the half.

Again it was a spectacular affair as they pressured the Woolgoolga defence into error and pounced.

Fullback Dane O’Hehir tried to clean up a bouncing ball after a kick only to be sandwiched by two Roosters as he tried secure the ball.

It bounced free and was toed ahead before the ball bounced into the hands of halfback Logan Jones who was able to bat the ball back to Saunders, who sprinted over to score.

The conversion made the score 24-0 and effectively put the game out of Woolgoolga’s reach.

But they had a great chance to get on the board in the final minutes of the half when Woolgoolga had the Nambucca defence back pedalling.

They found their try-scoring centre Shayde Perham but he lost the ball over the line in a heavy tackle as defenders hit him from both sides.

The siren sounded soon after and at 24-0 up, Nambucca looked to have the game in their keeping.

Their defence was solid and when forced to scramble had proved up to the mark.

In attack they had converted most of the chances they created.

But in the opening minutes of the second half complacency had slipped into their game and suddenly the Roosters were finding a few more easy metres up the middle.

Nambucca should have opened the second half with a try after Jones made a huge break up the middle only for Saunders to drop the ball with the line open.

Instead the Sea Horses got on the board when they forced the ball loose as Woolgoolga tried to run it off their line.

From the scrum they ran a set play with big second rower Jackson Gisinger the decoy. The ball hit O’Hehir on the chest and he straightened to find the Nambucca forwards slow breaking from the scrum and dashed through the gap to score.

Halfback Tyler Murden converted putting Woolgoolga on the board four minutes into the half.

Woolgoolga got their supporters hearts racing minutes later when they scored again.

This time it was ball playing prop Jake Elphick who did most of the work.

He punched a little grubber through the line, which Roberts-Davis could only parry back into his arms and he was able to dive over just to the left of the posts.

The conversion made It 24-12 to the Rooster, but the momentum seem to be heading the Sea Horses.

The second try seemed to knock the complacency from the Roosters who began to fire up in defence again.

From the kick off they hammered the Woolgoolga ball runners and when they got their chance, the Sea Horses forwards repaid the favour with some big tackles.

Woolgoolga was fighting hard to get back into the game, but Nambucca were just as determined to hold them.

With 10 minutes to go it was the Roosters half Jones, who put the game beyond dispute with a sensational solo try.

He received the ball near half way, dummied and broke free of the defence. He bounced to his feet and sprinted straight up the middle, stepped off his left foot to carry him around O’Hehir at the back, and dived over as covering defenders hit him from all sides.

It was the clincher and a field goal from Sines with a few minutes to go was the icing on the cake for Nambucca’s 31-12 win.

After the game prop Khan Jarrett was awarded the player of the match, a stand out in a hard working pack.

The Roosters also cleaned up post match with Logan Jones the competition’s leading try scorer and Roberts-Davis the leading points scorer and Best and Fairest for the season.

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Dreams in Motion: Aussies Prepare for Paris Paralympics!

By Jeff Gibbs

As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games come to a close, the spotlight now turns to the Paralympic Games, where Australia’s athletes are ready to showcase their extraordinary talent and determination. The same arenas that resonated with Olympic triumphs will soon witness the inspiring performances of an estimated 4,400 Paralympians from over 150 nations, including a remarkable contingent from Australia.

Among the Australian athletes, 43 are Commonwealth Games alumni, with 32 having previously claimed medals at the Commonwealth Games. These athletes are poised to represent their nation with pride, embodying the resilience and spirit that define the Paralympic movement.

Spotlight on Australian Paralympians

For many athletes, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games represent a pinnacle in their careers. Birmingham 2022 gold medallist Tim Hodge is one such athlete who views this as more than just another competition—it’s an opportunity to redefine the limits of what’s possible in the pool.

“It’s an incredible honour to compete at my third Paralympic Games,” said Hodge. “My coach and I have left nothing to chance, and we’ll be drawing from all my previous experience and hard training over the last three years to put together my best possible performance.”

Similarly, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Hani Watson will make her mark in powerlifting—a sport that has not seen Australian representation in 12 years. Watson approaches this moment with a deep sense of purpose and pride.

“I’m excited, honoured, and humbled to wear the green and gold again,” Watson shared. “I know my late mother is going to be there with me on the platform ready to lift some heavy weight. I can already hear her saying, ‘you’ve got this, darling – let’s go.’”

Cyclist Jessica Gallagher, a four-time Commonwealth Games medallist, sees the Paralympic Games as a chance to reflect on her journey and fuel her drive for excellence.

“It’s been a big few years coming off the back of the Commonwealth Games and world championships, and we are ready for this next chapter to begin,” Gallagher said. “We’re so thankful to know everyone back home in Australia will be watching and cheering for us. Bring it on!”

A Nation’s Support

Petria Thomas OAM, Chef de Mission of the Australian Commonwealth Games Team, expressed her support and well wishes for the Australian Paralympic Team as they embark on their journey in Paris.

“On behalf of the Australian Commonwealth Games Team, I want to wish our incredible Paralympic athletes all the very best at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games,” said Thomas. “Your resilience, dedication, and passion are inspiring. Now is your time to shine—go out there, embrace the moment, and show the world what Australia is made of. We’re all behind you!”

Follow the Journey

Australians are encouraged to follow the journey of the Paralympic Team as they compete in Paris. Stay tuned to all the action on paralympics.com.au and their social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X. Let’s rally behind our athletes as they reach for glory on the world stage!

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