Tallon Smith

With the middle of summer having passed, attention in the Western Riverina has begun turning to the upcoming Group 20 season, and after an active off-season in the player market, one major source of intrigue is the new make-up of the Hay Magpies.

In addition to a number of signings announced back in October, including Will Barnes, Ben Arandt, Harley Hey, and Shaun Aylett, the Magpies are continuing to look for further additions to their squad as they return for a gruelling pre-season.

Incoming First Grade Coach Chris Stewart said that after an extended off-season break which allowed players to enjoy the festive season, the team are happy to be back on the training paddock with their new additions.

“We thought we’d give the boys a bit of a break after last year, so we [went] back on the 7th of January,” he said.

“We’re going to get stuck in straight away, we’re sort of not going to work into it.

“We signed another forward from Albury, who played in Group 9, local boy [Jye Thompson], as well as another local guy [Kynan Headon] who was doing some stuff with the Melbourne Storm, who’s living in Deniliquin at the moment. 

“We tried to sign some halves from England, but that fell through, so we’re still looking for another half.”

Another area in which the Magpies have been active is organising trial matches, with two big hit outs scheduled against a range of quality opposition.

“We’re obviously going to West Wyalong for the first time in a long time, which will be good,” Stewart said.

“It’ll be a good challenge for us with our new squad to sort of see where we’re at. 

“It’s going to be a pretty strong West Wyalong knockout, a lot of strong sides there.

“We’ve also got a trial arranged with South City Bulls and Queanbeyan Blues which will be a three-way thing in early March.

“That will also be another sort of a good gauge for us to see where we’re at, playing against two really good sides.”

With the Magpies having one of the longest finals droughts of any team across the state, having last played postseason football in 2016, there’s no surprises what the club’s new mentor has pencilled in as this season’s paramount goal.

“I definitely think we’ll be aiming for finals as a minimum, I think we’re gonna be in with a red hot chance,” Stewart told Battlers For Bush Footy.

“Obviously to play some finals would be good, because it’s been almost 10 years since we last played finals in First Grade, and that was the only time the club has since we [joined] Group 20.

“With all the local guys that we’ve signed, there’s a good feel around the town, everyone’s very excited.

“The draw is out and we’ve got [Darlington] Point first up which will once again be another good test for us and a good gauge to see where we’re at.”

The 2025 Group 20 season will kick off on April 13.

(Cover Photo: The Riverine Grazier)