Once known for his grit on the field, former Country Rugby League player of the year, Jimmy Grehan, now leads from the coach’s box, guiding Collegians through a near-perfect start to the 2025 Harrigan Cup season with calm authority and a clear vision.
The former NRL squad member and Super League player took over as Collegians men’s head coach this year, inheriting a team full of fresh faces. But two wins from two games suggest things are clicking early under his leadership.
“We had a big pre-season, had a lot of new faces — including myself,” Grehan said.
“To be able to knock over last year’s premiers [in Round 1] shows that we’re heading in the right direction. We’ve still got a lot to learn — we’re only new and developing — but so far, so good.”
Elite Level Experience
Grehan brings years of professional playing experience into the role, including time spent in elite-level systems. But it wasn’t just talent that got him there — it was also persistence, adaptability, and learning from others along the way.
“Yeah, I played up until last year, really. Played a little bit with a few NRL squads and a bit of Super League,” he said.
“I was never the best player in the world, but I learned a lot by being a fringe player and having some good coaches along the way.”
Those lessons are now helping him manage both the game plan and the group dynamics at Collegians.
“I feel like I’m probably getting closer to a finished product as a coach than I ever was as a player,” he said.
“Being put in different situations, different clubs, financial situations, different playing styles — it’s helped me learn how to manage players and the club.”
View Match Centre
That calm leadership has already been tested early in the season. Ahead of their Round 3 clash with De La Salle — also undefeated — Grehan is managing a growing injury list, forcing lineup changes he originally hoped would be tactical.
“Originally, the team I named was a tactical move to match how De La play,” he said.
“But now with a few injuries, I might have to reshuffle the team altogether. That’s just rugby league — one week you’ve got a full side, the next week you’re moving guys around due to injury.”
Among the notable changes is James Lee shifting from wing to centre to partner with Nic Hall, the competition’s leading try scorer, after regular centre Dane Nelson was ruled out with injury.
“James is very versatile. He’s played fullback and centre, so I know he’ll do a job for me there,” Grehan said.
“De La’s outside backs are classy, so we need guys we can rely on.”
It’s the kind of flexibility and resilience that Grehan values — not just in his players, but in the team culture he’s working to build.
“My biggest thing is that guys need to be at training. I’ve coached teams in the past where some players would drop in and out, and you really feel that on the weekends,” he said.
“The more the boys are together, the more they understand the game plan and how we do things. I could see in the pre-season — this team had something.”
High Stakes
That foundation will be put to the test this weekend in a matchup that could shape the early ladder. Collegians and De La Salle have opened their seasons undefeated, and Grehan is fully aware of the stakes.
“De La is a good side — big and fast. It’s going to come down to who can complete their sets and limit errors,” he said.
“If we make too many mistakes, they’ll punish us. It’s that simple.”
But rather than shy away from the challenge, Grehan embraces it — and wants his players to do the same.
“I try and be upbeat and excited. You train all pre-season for games like this,” he said.
“It’s about buying into the moment and being ready to battle.”
As Collegians aim to make it three from three, their new coach is already proving he has both the mindset and the experience to lead from the front, just as he once did on the field.
By Angelina Raula
Read More >> Round 3 Fixtures and Team Lists