By Tallon Smith

The unofficial opener of the bush footy season kicked off yesterday, with the 51st annual West Wyalong Knockout getting underway at Ron Crowe Oval.

A two-day carnival contested by 11 teams this year, the event began with a 5-game slate on Friday night, with Queanbeyan Blues the lucky side getting the bye.

Ahead of the second round and finals tonight, here is a look back at yesterday’s matches to keep you up to date.

In the opening game, last season’s Canberra Rugby League runners up Tuggeranong Bushrangers cruised to a comfortable 14-0 win over Group 9’s Junee Diesels.

The Bushies’ performance showcased some of the football that got them to last year’s Grand Final in the nation’s capital.

In the second match of the evening, defending champions the Young Cherrypickers completed a 22-0 shutout of the Yenda Blueheelers to book their spot in the second round.

Young are again looking the team to beat in this year’s knockout if that performance was anything to go by.

In the third battle of the evening, 2023 Group 9 runners-up Wagga Kangaroos secured a 14-4 victory over last season’s Group 20 wooden spooners Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo.

The result did not disgrace the Lakes side, who are widely tipped to greatly improve in 2024 and potentially challenge for a finals spot in their respective competition.

Then came the big upset of the night, when Wagga’s South City Bulls secured a gritty 6-4 win over the hosts West Wyalong.

Although the Mallee Men secured one of the lucky loser spots due to points percentage, the result certainly shocked the raucous home crowd.

Finally, in the last match at 9:40pm, the Temora Dragons won what was arguably the matchup of the night with a 10-6 victory over a highly fancied Woden Valley Rams side.

The regining Group 9 Minor Premiers appear to be primed for another good season as they attempt to end an 18-year premiership drought dating back to their 2006 victory over Gundagai.

So what is the schedule for Day 2?

So, at the conclusion of the evening, the teams winning through to round two were Tuggeranong, Young, Wagga Kangaroos, South City and Temora, with West Wyalong and Woden securing the lucky loser positions and Queanbeyan Blues advancing with the bye.

Round two this evening looks as follows:

4:30pm – Queanbeyan Blues v Temora Dragons

5:10pm – Tuggeranong Bushrangers v Young Cherrypickers

5:50pm – South City Bulls v Wagga Kangaroos

6:30pm – West Wyalong v Woden Valley

Following this, Finals will be held as follows:

7:10pm – Semi Final 1

8:20pm – Semi Final 2

9:00pm – League Tag Trial (West Wyalong v Young)

9:30pm – Knockout Final

All images courtesy of West Wyalong RLFC Social Media Channels