Tallon Smith

All sixteen slots at the West Wyalong Knockout have been filled before Christmas by clubs from four different competitions in a stunning renaissance for the annual pre-season rugby league tournament.

After ten of the spots were filled last week, the remaining six places were all occupied by Monday evening after clubs raced to confirm their participation in what has been described as the ‘unofficial kickoff to the season’.

Group 16 sides Cooma United and Bombala will contest the Knockout, joined by Peter McDonald Premiership outfits Forbes Magpies and Dubbo CYMS and Group 20 teams Yanco-Wamoon Hawks and Griffith Waratah Tigers as the final six entrants for the 2025 edition.

They join the ten prior entrants announced last week: South City, Temora and Young from Group 9; Orange CYMS and Parkes from the Peter McDonald Premiership; and Tullibigeal-Lakes United, Yenda, Leeton, Hay and hosts West Wyalong from Group 20.

The addition of the Yanco and Waratahs clubs on Monday comes after the confirmation that the five other Group 20 sides would play in the tournament in 2024.

The return of the clubs comes after a period where many Group 20 sides passed up on the opportunity to play in the prestigious tournament, seven local sides have entered the event to be held on February 28 and March 1.

The entries of Hay, Yanco, Waratahs and Leeton mark a return after lengthy absences from the tournament, while Yenda and TLU will look to improve on their first round exits last year.

The cancellation of the annual Group 20 Knockout, which was usually held the weekend after the West Wyalong tournament and drew clubs away from it, has increased the demand for a slot at what is the toughest pre-season hit out west of the mountains, with over half the local competition’s clubs now confirmed and more expected to enter in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, reigning Group Nine Premiers, 2023 Knockout Champions and 2024 runners-up the Young Cherrypickers will look to reclaim another piece of silverware after going down to Canberra’s Woden Valley Rams this year, joined by two of their local stablemates in the Bulls and Dragons.

2025 will also see the return of Group 10 and 11 sides, which throughout history have been a staple of the tournament due to its centrality between the Riverina and Western regions.

The entry of 10 sides into the 16 team tournament leaves six places remaining, with the total prize money for the 2025 edition totalling $30,800.

Last year saw only eleven clubs enter the Knockout, with concerns raised about the future of the event, which in its heyday in the 1980s was held over three weekends such was the demand from clubs to enter.