Makinson Joins Coffs Harbour Comets After Super League Retirement

Tommy Makinson has joined Coffs Harbour Comets in Australia in a player/coach role after retiring from professional rugby league, with the move confirmed on October 13, 2026, following his exit from Catalans Dragons and 15-year career in the professional game.

According to alloutrugbyleague.co.uk and loverugbyleague.com, the 35-year-old winger signed a two-year deal with the New South Wales Rugby League Group 2 club. He will share captain-coach duties with Macauley Dawson.

Makinson ended his professional career after two seasons with Catalans Dragons in France, having previously spent the majority of his career with St Helens. Loverugbyleague.com reported that his final professional appearance came against Wigan Warriors.

According to alloutrugbyleague.co.uk, Makinson won four Grand Finals with St Helens and collected major honors including the Super League League Leaders Shield, Challenge Cup, and World Club Challenge trophies after debuting for the club in 2011.

The former England international finished his club career with 391 professional games, 244 tries, 310 goals, one drop goal, and 1,597 points, according to alloutrugbyleague.co.uk. Loverugbyleague.com listed his club-level total at 379 appearances, with 336 coming for St Helens.

According to loverugbyleague.com, Makinson scored 231 club tries and kicked 290 goals, while alloutrugbyleague.co.uk recorded his St Helens tally as 207 tries in 336 appearances.

Makinson also represented England during his career. According to both reports, he scored 13 tries and kicked 20 goals in 12 international appearances, including involvement in the delayed 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

Coffs Harbour Comets reached the semi-finals of the Group 2 competition in the 2026 season before losing 26-24 to Macksville Sea Eagles, according to loverugbyleague.com. The club will now add Makinson to its squad as a player and coach.