FORMER Catalans Dragons and St Helens star Tommy Makinson will begin a new chapter of his life next year when he takes up a two-year contract as the player-coach of the Australian Group 2 Rugby League side Coffs Harbour Comets.
Makinson, 35, retired from Super League at the end of the 2026 season after spending two seasons with the Dragons, which followed 14 seasons with St Helens, for whom he made his Super League debut at the age of 19 in 2011.
He would go on to make 337 appearances for St Helens, scoring 207 tries, 280 goals and one field-goal for 1,389 points in total.
In his two seasons with the Dragons he made 41 appearances, scoring 21 tries and ten goals for 104 points.
And he is now contemplating a new career in the coaching ranks in Australia.
“I’m really looking forward to starting the next chapter of my journey in Coffs Harbour,” Makinson said.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to become part of a new community, meet new people and build connections both on and off the field.
“I’m keen to get involved, learn from the people around me and hopefully make a positive contribution to the local community through rugby and beyond. Looking forward to getting started and seeing what this next chapter brings.”
Coffs Harbour is a coastal city on the North Coast of New South Wales, 329 miles north of Sydney and 240 miles south of Brisbane. It had a population of 78,759 at the time of the 2021 census and it has four clubs in the NSW Group 2 competition: Coffs Harbour Comets, Sawtell Panthers, Woolgoolga Seahorses, and Orara Valley Axemen.
The Axemen are strongly linked to local resident, the actor Russell Crowe, and they were coached by current Warrington coach Sam Burgess in the 2022 season.
A statement from the Comets announcing Makinson’s appointment said: “A 2018 Golden Boot winner, five-time Super League champion, England international and one of the game’s most decorated players, Tommy brings an incredible level of experience to our club.
“Tommy will partner Macauley Dawson, the 2026 Group 2 Best & Fairest, to lead our first-grade side into the next two seasons.
“Despite opportunities to continue in Super League, Tommy has chosen Coffs Harbour for the next chapter of his career.
“He’ll arrive in November with his partner Beth and daughters Isla and Aria, ready to become part of our Comets family and community.
“This is a massive moment for our club, and we can’t wait to see what’s ahead.”
