For the uninitiated, Group 2 is the heartbeat of the New South Wales North Coast. It’s more than just a competition—it’s the perfect excuse to watch your neighbours belt each other on the field and then share a Tooheys New at the clubhouse afterwards. And this year, there’s an extra twist: the Nambucca Heads Roosters come in as the defending premiers, feathers still puffed out after taking the title in 2025. Can they go back‑to‑back, or will there be new blood on top? Strap yourselves in—this one’s going to be a ripper.
Group 2 Rugby League 2026 Draw & Schedule
Tooheys New Group 2 Competition Draw 2026
| Round | Date (EST) | Matchup (Home vs Away) | Scores (All Grades) | Latest News | On BYE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | Apr 18/19 | Woolgoolga VS Macksville Nambucca Heads VS Sawtell Grafton Ghosts VS South Grafton |
Woolgoolga vs Macksville
40-4 (1st), 14-16 (Res), 44-0 (W), 22-24 (U18)
Nambucca Heads vs Sawtell
12-34 (1st), 4-56 (Res), 30-14 (W), 28-24 (U18)
Grafton Ghosts vs South Grafton
24-28 (1st), 16-14 (Res), 16-14 (W), Ghosts WBF (U18) |
Coffs Harbour | |
| R2 | Apr 26 | Sawtell VS Grafton Ghosts South Grafton VS Nambucca Heads Coffs Harbour VS Woolgoolga |
— | Macksville | |
| R3 | May 2/3 | Grafton Ghosts VS Nambucca Heads Macksville VS Coffs Harbour Sawtell VS South Grafton |
— | Woolgoolga | |
| R4 | May 9/10 | Coffs Harbour VS Sawtell Woolgoolga VS Grafton Ghosts South Grafton VS Macksville |
— | Nambucca Heads | |
| May 17 — League-wide Bye Week (No Games) | |||||
| R5 | May 23/24 | Nambucca Heads VS Woolgoolga Macksville VS Sawtell Grafton Ghosts VS Coffs Harbour |
— | South Grafton | |
| R6 | May 30/31 | Grafton Ghosts VS Macksville Coffs Harbour VS Nambucca Heads Woolgoolga VS South Grafton |
— | Sawtell | |
| June 07 — Long Weekend (No Games) | |||||
| R7 | June 13/14 | South Grafton VS Coffs Harbour Nambucca Heads VS Macksville Woolgoolga VS Sawtell |
— | Grafton Ghosts | |
| Grand Final — September 06, 2026 | |||||
Participating Teams
Each First Grade squad in Group 2 consists of 17 players: 13 on the field and 4 interchange players on the bench. While the professional NRL competition uses an expanded bench, Group 2 Rugby League follows the International Laws of the Game, maintaining the traditional 4-person bench to ensure the high-intensity, grit, and endurance that North Coast rugby is famous for.
This traditional format keeps the game fast and demands peak fitness from the forwards, staying true to the regional competition standards.
Current Standings & Live Results
Who’s on top? Who’s already planning Mad Monday? This is where the rubber meets the road. The ladder isn’t just decoration—it’s the thermometer of the competition.
Gear Up for the Group 2 Rugby League Season
Whether you're playing for the Macksville Sea Eagles or the Coffs Harbour Comets, having the right gear is non-negotiable. We've curated the top-rated equipment available on Amazon AU to get you match-ready.
| Essential Gear | Why You Need It | Get It Online |
|---|---|---|
| Mouthguard | Mandatory by the rules. Shock Doctor mouthguards are top-rated for heavy contact. |  |
| Soft Ground Boots (Footy Boots) | Essential for muddy NSW grounds in winter. Brands like ASICS or Canterbury are the gold standard. | |
| Strapping Tape | An absolute must-have for ankle and knee strapping every game day in Group 2. | |
| Shoulder Pads (Body Armour) | Extra protection for the heavy hits typical of Rugby League. | |
| Steeden Rugby League Ball | The official footy of Rugby League in Australia. You can't train without one. | |
| Water Jug (1.5L - 2L) | Crucial for staying hydrated during those hot training sessions around Coffs Harbour and Kempsey. | |
How to Watch Group 2 Rugby League?
For those who can’t make the trek to the North Coast (or don’t want to risk the car in the muddy car park), we’ve got good news.
- Live Streaming: Most clubs are streaming games via BarTV Sports. It’s the perfect way to watch from the couch, cold drink in hand, while pretending you know better than the coach.
- Highlights on TV: If you’re more old‑school, no worries. NBN News usually shows the best tries (and the funniest sideline moments) during their weekend sports wrap. Keep your eyes glued to the screen on Sunday night.
Junior Rugby League Group 2
It’s not all about the big boys. The future of Group 2 is forged in the junior grades, and this part of the competition gets more than 390 families out and about every weekend.
From the Under 18s (where the young guns are trying to catch the eye of first‑grade selectors) right down to the Under 16s, 14s and 12s, the colours of all seven clubs are carried by the next generation. Watching the little ones from Grafton Ghosts or Macksville Sea Eagles run around before the main game is a reminder of why we love this sport: it starts with a grin and a muddy jersey.
So there you have it. Mark the dates, dust off the deckchair and grab your hat. The Group 2 Rugby League 2026 season is shaping up to deliver more twists than a soap opera finale. See you at the footy… or in the comments when we next update the ladder.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Grab a map. Group 2 covers the stunning North Coast of New South Wales. The territory stretches from Grafton in the north down to Macksville in the south, taking in Coffs Harbour, Sawtell, Nambucca Heads, Woolgoolga and South Grafton along the way. It’s a competition dripping with regional pride.
In the NSWRL hierarchy, Group 2 is a premier regional competition on the North Coast. Unlike the NRL professional tier, Group 2 plays under the International Laws of the Game with specific NSWRL Community Rugby League modifications.
This means that while the passion is professional, the rules follow the traditional regional standard: for instance, teams utilize a 4-person bench (17 players total) rather than the 6-person bench seen in the NRL. This ensures the competition stays true to its roots as the heartbeat of regional New South Wales rugby league.
Have you been living under a rock? Nambucca Heads Roosters! The Roosters took out the title in a grand final that had the stadium shaking. It was a heart‑stopping affair that left the boys in red and white on top of the pile—and now everyone wants to knock them off in 2026.
The battle for the shield features the core heavyweights from the Mid North Coast. You can find their home grounds here:
Coffs Harbour Comets
Grafton Ghosts
South Grafton Rebels
Sawtell Panthers
Macksville Sea Eagles
Nambucca Heads Roosters
Woolgoolga Seahorses
Every weekend is a local derby when these sides meet.
Absolutely. The Group 2 pathway is one of the strongest in NSW, featuring a massive junior system and the highly competitive Under 18s (Junior Colts). It’s the breeding ground for the next generation of NRL stars, with clubs spanning from Grafton
all the way down to Macksville.
Keeping up with the pace! For 2026, expect a focus on faster play-the-balls and the new 6-man bench rule to manage player fatigue. These tweaks are designed to make the game even more explosive for the fans across the North Coast region.
The 2026 season officially kicks off on April 19. You can find the full round-by-round draw right here on our platform. Tickets are usually available at the gate on game day—just show up at your local ground and support your club!
