Cover Photo: Tahlia Crane Photography
Tallon Smith
Just days after losing star half Nathan Rose, a trio of Wagga Kangaroos players have also departed the club after signing with Newcastle club Western Suburbs Rosellas.
Bowie Foster, Charlie Barton and Connor McCauley will link with the Newcastle Rugby League side in 2026, joining fellow Riverina products Liam Wiscombe and Jake Goodwin at the club.
Speaking on his decision to join the Rosellas, Foster said his move to the Hunter was more about work than football alone.
“It was just a good opportunity to move up for work more so than footy,” he said.
“[I’ve] just linked up with a few old mates to play footy at Wests, and I’ve got a couple of mates from back home from the Roos coming with me which will be good.”
After playing in Kangaroos’ 2024 Grand Final loss to Young, an ACL injury ruled Foster out of the entire 2025 campaign, where the Wagga club was the leading side all season only to fall again on Riverina rugby league’s biggest day.
However, while he is leaving the Roos, Foster said he has had nothing but good memories at the club where his career began.
“Coming into first grade as a young fella, we sort of struggled a bit as a club, and were never really known as one of those sides to look out for or anything,” he said.
“To turn that around with the likes of Smarty [James Smart] coming in to coach, and then Nay Nay [Nathan Rose], it was a good experience and a lot of fun.
“It’s a shame that we couldn’t get the job done to be honest, but still, running out in that Grand Final is something I will never forget.”
In terms of the path he and his two teammates are about to follow, the Wagga trio will be walking in the footsteps of many Riverina greats who have gone to test their skills at bush footy’s Mount Rushmore.
Speaking on the opportunity to tackle the premier local competition in the state, Foster said he is ready for the challenge.
“I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
“Newcastle is probably the top tier competition and the pinnacle of bush footy you could say, [so I’m] definitely keen to give it a crack and see how we go.
“With Wests looking as strong as they are, it will definitely be a challenge and something I’m looking forward to.”
Meanwhile, Barton said that he is also excited to be joining his two teammates in taking on some of the state’s best local footballers in the NEWRL competition next season.
“Obviously it’s pretty exciting to go and play footy somewhere else, moving up there with my partner, and obviously the boys are going to be up there which helps as well,” he said.
“I think it probably is the best competition in bush footy, definitely in NSW, so it will be a good challenge and probably that next step.
“[We’ll] see how we go, just rip into training and see where we’re at.”
As for if he has plans to return to Group 9 one day, Barton said he wouldn’t rule out a Kangaroos homecoming.
“I’m never going to shut the door on that, I can definitely see myself coming back and giving it another crack
“It obviously has been disappointing that the we haven’t been able to actually get over the line
“We;ve probably been one of the best teams to beat over the three years and just couldn’t get it done, all three Grand Finals were pretty close, but at the end of the day we didn’t get the choccies.”
Meanwhile, the news surrounding the Foster brothers doesn’t end there, with Zeik Foster confirmed as the captain-coach of the Kangaroos for the 2026 campaign.
The newly-appointed skipper brings with him experience at Queensland Cup level with the Central Queensland Capras, as well as time with Collegians in the Illawarra League, and in the Raiders and Dragons lower grade systems.
