Tallon Smith

The Temora Dragons have made the first major move of the Group 9 off-season, announcing Jordon Burley as their First Grade head coach for the 2026 campaign.

The new Dragons mentor brings with him plenty of coachinhg experience, having assisted James Dole at Yenda in Group 20 prior to his appointment to roles within the Riverina Bulls junior representative system earlier this year.

Speaking via a press release posted to the club’s social channels, Burley said he was looking forward to taking on the job.

“I’m really looking forward to being part of a great club and also community that Temora is,” he said.

“From the outside looking in, it’s evident the culture and community spirit is right up there and that’s something my family and I can’t wait to be a part of.”

Burley said that the thing that impresses him the most about the club is the depth of talent coming through Temora’s pathways.

“I think the local talent and numbers throughout the club is impressive,” he said.

“The fact there is minimal external recruits amongst the playing rank and the results the last 3-4 years, shows the strong foundations built from the schoolboys to the senior club, and that’s something to be really proud of and something I want to keep going.

“Recruitment is part of football, but I think you’ll find the players that do come to the Dragons don’t want to leave.”

When asked abour the legacy left by his predecessor Josh McCrone, Burley spoke highly of the former NRL star has done over the past few seasons.

“I think it would be wrong not to acknowledge the work Josh McCrone has done with not only this team but the whole club over his tenure as coach,” he said.

“He has set some really strong foundations and I certainly will be keeping these in place, and hopefully building on top of it with my own experience.”