Roosters go three for three against South Grafton Rebels

THE South Grafton Rebels traveled over the weekend to meet the Nambucca Roosters at Coronation Park, Nambucca Heads, for three games of footy in Round 9 of the 2026 Group 2 competition. 

Cool, overcast and dry conditions met players, the Roosters supporters, and a small band of South Grafton fans on Saturday in Nambucca Heads.

The big news for the home team was the return of Tyreece Sines who had started the 2026 season playing with Kempsey.

Sines was instrumental in the last two premiership wins for the Roosters so the anticipation of his return and the possibility of him being able to assist Nambucca in getting back to winning form was high.

He did not disappoint and, in a way, it was like he never left, having not lost form since last year.

The visitors shocked the Roosters early with Izac McConnell picking up points for the Rebels just three minutes into the game, the try converted by Todd Cameron.

It took the Roosters only two minutes to respond as a dropped ball from the kick-off put the home side just metres from the line, setting up a Craig Garvey try, Sines picking up the extras and the game went to 6-6.

Despite both sides getting points in the opening minutes the game then settled down to a grinding battle for the next 15 minutes with the Roosters spending the lion’s share of the time under pressure in their half.

The tussle was broken, with 22 minutes left in half, with a try by the Rebels’ number two, Jye Boeme, not converted, and South Grafton was in front 10-6.

Five minutes later a great busting run by Nambucca’s Khan Jarrett, playing in inspiring form throughout the game, set the conditions for a Cam Simon try, Sines kicking the conversion, and the Roosters edged back in front 12-10.

South Grafton went well and truly back on the attack however were thwarted by errors when they seemed destined to score.

Then, with seven minutes left to play in the first half, in what was arguably the play of the game, Cale Ogilvy switched the direction of play in an instant, catching the visitors off guard and getting the ball to a rampaging Khan Jarrett who crossed the try line. The conversion was unsuccessful but the Roosters extended their lead.

Just two minutes later a line-break by Robbie Inglis resulted in more points for the Roosters, Sines on-point with the boot, and at half time the score was 22-10, Nambucca Roosters in front.

Whatever Coach Warrick Jones said to his Roosters at half time had the desired effect and with just one and a half minutes off the clock in the second stanza an 80-metre run by Cam Simon got him over for his second try for the day. This was converted by Sines and the Roosters stretched their lead to 28-10.

Only minutes later a series of clever chip-kicks put Robbie Inglis in position to pick up his second try for the day. This was not converted and the Roosters were at 32-10.

From that point South Grafton tightened up their defensive play significantly, slowing down the points build-up. However, with 14 minutes left in the game, another big run by Khan Jarrett got Damon Simon-Wilson in the clear for more Roosters points. His try was not converted and the score went to 36-14.

It was here where a strong fight-back began for the Rebels, with Jye Boehme picking up his second try, followed soon after by great tries from Izac McConnell, his second, and Jack Fels scoring in the closing minutes. However, with the clock winding down, it was too late for the visitors to take the win home.

The final score was Roosters 36, Rebels 24.

The two other games played were also won by the Roosters.

The Women’s Tackle game was a crowd-pleaser with the home side doing well to overcome a Rebels outfit who knew how to run the ball and defend well.

It was Ladies Day at Coronation Park where the club paid homage to the women, mums, sisters and friends who make the game possible and the Roosters ladies took to the field hand in hand with a significant lady in their lives.

The final score in the women’s game was Roosters 34, Rebels 4.

As has been the case all season, it was the reserve grade game that provided the best game to watch of the afternoon, with both teams evenly matched and playing to win.

The Roosters took the win in a nail biter, 24-20.

This week the Nambucca Roosters celebrate their Indigenous Round hosting the Grafton Ghosts on Sunday 5 July at Coronation Park, the action beginning at 11:00 am.

By Mick BIRTLES