TWO years ago, Grafton Redmen Rugby Club were on the brink of collapsing.
Floundering in the Far North Coast President’s Cup competition, the Redmen were struggling to attract players and to compete at the top level.
In 2022 things improved slightly when they fielded a first-grade side in the Mid North Coast competition, but wins were few and far between which saw the club languish on the bottom of the ladder.
Embodied as a “Club going nowhere,” the “Raiders of the Mid and Far North Coast” were entrenched also- rans of the competition.
Through no fault of the coaching staff and committee at the time, this proud club, rich in history, had to deal with a decline in playing numbers and Covid, which was a major disruption on the local sporting scene.
Something had to change both culturally and from a business perspective for the club to prosper, and once again be a force in the local rugby landscape.
Heading into the 2023 season a new committee was formed, fresh coaching staff, and with plenty of helping hands on deck, the club’s fortunes changed almost immediately.
Crowds are up, a sprinkling of Fijian players to help field two senior grades and sponsorship the best it has been in years, have all contributed to the club heading in the right direction.
With the business end of the season fast approaching, Grafton now find themselves with a chance of playing finals footy, not just in first grade, but also seconds, women’s and under-14s.
It’s a remarkable turnaround considering where the club was in 2021.
First grade finds themselves sitting in fourth place on the ladder with two games remaining. This Saturday they face a tough road trip against second-placed Kempsey before their last round home game of the season against Hastings Vikings.
And with SCU Marlins breathing down their neck, a win against either side will go a long way in shoring up a top-four finish.
Redmen second grade side are in a similar boat to first grade and need to continue their winning ways if they are to feature in the final’s series.
After being well out of contention midway through the season, Grafton have rocketed into third position on the table after winning four games on the trot.
The Redmen Women’s side have been a revelation in 2023 winning seven of their ten games this season with their nemesis Port Pirates the only side to notch up wins against them.
If everything goes to plan, the Tamar McHugh led women’s side should finish in the top two and secure a spot in the major semi-final.
Grafton’s under-14s are currently in fifth place on the ladder and like first grade have a tough road trip to Kempsey this weekend.
Kempsey are four points ahead of Grafton in fourth position and with a bye in the final round, will make it difficult for Grafton to leap-frog them on the table. But with two wins and a few bonus points they still have a mathematical chance of a final’s berth.
The Redmen have enjoyed a stellar season against the odds. Powerhouse sides like Coffs Snappers and Port Pirates have no trouble recruiting quality players, but maybe, just maybe, the Redmen with a little self-belief and commitment, can cause a few ripples before the season’s end.
Nico
