BY PAT CAVANAGH 

THE COOLUM Colts A Grade team are the first team into the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Grand Finals following an emphatic 62 to nil victory over Caloundra at Coolum on Saturday, August 29, in front of a large home crowd.

Coolum settled into their patterns quickly, both in defence and attack, and after some judiciously placed fifth tackle kicks, shot out to a 28-point lead after 30 minutes.

This was to be the half-time score.

During the second half, the Colts’ attack and defence were faultless as their confidence, energy levels, and enthusiasm rose to new heights.

This, along with excellent ball control, enabled them to add 32 extra points in the second half while holding Caloundra to nil.

A Grade coach Daniel Brown said that making the Grand Final was a great reward for the players.

“To get into the Grand Final is a reward for how the boys have trained over the past few weeks, and they have really come together, and tonight we had a few things come our way.

“We got an early lead, and it is a good Caloundra side, and they were off their game tonight, and we were on, and that was the result, and that’s the way it goes.”
In the lead-up to the Grand Final, Brown said that the foundations have been laid.

“We have trained pretty hard, and they have pushed themselves, and they have kept each other accountable, and we seem to have come through unscathed.”

This is the Colts’ fourth season in the Sunshine Coast and Gympie Rugby League A Grade.

In 2024 they were Grand Finalists; in 2025 they made the Preliminary Final, and in 2026 they are in their second Grand Final and are looking like they will bring the trophy back to Coolum.

In earlier games on the day, the Coolum Open Women’s team went down to Maroochydore by 22 to 16, thus bringing their season to an end.

The Reserve Grade team were defeated by Caboolture 28 points to 18. Fortunately, the Reserve Grade get a second chance, and they will play Caloundra at Caloundra this coming weekend.

The Grand Finals will be at the Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday, September 13, with the A Grade side Coolum to play yet to be decided.

All of the local league-loving community are encouraged to show their support for the Colts and get down to the stadium and “fill the hill” as the Colts hopefully win the big dance and solidify their dominance in the A Grade 2026 competition as the dominant side with the Grand Final Premiership win.