With two teams in the 2018 grand finals and a flock of ex-Roosters in the 2019 squad, eagle eyes have been on Macksville to see how their season shapes up.
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The first grade lads had a strong start, proving themselves to be a formidable force in a nailbiting finals rematch against the Comets three weeks ago with only four points in the end result.
Nambucca recruits Jai Whaddy, Mitchell Whitelaw, Jacob Welsh, Joseph Blair and Edward Weldon have been a huge boon for the club, and president Dean Hillery said he's stoked at what these fellas have brought to the Macksville game.
"It must be hard to go over to your local derby competition. I've got nothing but appreciation for what they've brought to the club," he said.
But injury and indifference has set in the past two weeks.
A knee injury to natural-born leader Joe Borg was a huge blow, with the team now struggling to gel.
The further losses of Joe McKay and Willie Baker - who has just been signed by the Manly Sea Eagles - has seen some of the U18 boys have a run in first grade.
Hillery said the young guns took to the first grade side like ducks to water even against the well-heeled Grafton Ghosts.
The first grade team is currently sitting sixth on the ladder, but Hillery said it feels like déjà vu, with the boys in the same position they were last year, before swooping into the grand finals.
"Beware the sleeping eagle...again," he said.
Meanwhile the Reserves are sitting one point behind the ladder leaders, and would be on top if not for an admin technicality.
"That team wouldn't be out of place in first grade, there's that much depth to them," Hillery said.
The U18s are back after their 2018 grand final victory and whitewash season.
With zero losses again this time around, they're proving they really are all that and a bag of potato chips.
But the true heroes of this story must be the League-Tag legends, who have gone from wooden spooners to table-leaders in under 12 months.
Five players from the side - Dakota Hillery, Angie Greenshields, Kirstie Pedrola, Wulaaran Walker and Relle Donovan - recently stepped up for Group 2 Representative League-Tag, with Walker, Pedrola and Donovan then being selected to represent the North Coast.
The side's surprise turn-around can largely be attributed to the talents of Relle Donovan who has come on board as coach with Macksville after leaving the Rebels.
Hillery said at this stage all grades are looking good for a spot in the finals.
This weekend promises to be a huge one with a home-side advantage against Bellingen - who also benefited from a Roosters migration.
Games kick off from 12pm, Sunday, at Allan Gillet.
