Tallon Smith

UPDATE – After initially announcing their withdrawal from the 2025 Goulburn Murray Premiership competition, the Tumbarumba Greens will make one more attempt at fielding a men’s team in 2026.

Following a number of messages from potential players over the past 24 hours, the Greens have decided to delay their official withdrawal from the competition by one week, with a crucial training session to be held next Wednesday to gauge numbers.

In a statement set to be posted to the club’s Facebook page at 7pm, the Greens confirmed to Battlers that they will make one final effort to form a men’s team this year.

“After the decision to withdraw from the Goulburn Murray Men’s Premiership competition earlier in the week, and last night’s subsequent story published by Battlers For Bush Footy, we have received a large number of messages from players interested in reviving the men’s side for this season,” the statement read.

“Immediately after the publication of the story, which was correct in stating that we were intending to withdraw from the competition, a number of potential players reached out to the club last night about the prospect of an 11th-hour reversal of the decision before the club’s formal withdrawal was lodged with NRL Victoria.

“Therefore, we have decided to make one more attempt at fielding a men’s team in 2026.

“All interested players and other parties are urged to attend a special training session and meeting at Tumbarumba Showground next Wednesday, March 4, at 6:15pm.

“Please note that should we not have sufficient attendance at this training session, the club will have no other choice but to follow through and withdraw from the 2026 Goulburn Murray men’s competition.”

Further updates regarding the training session will be posted on the club’s new Facebook page.

Tumbarumba second club in two days to announce withdrawal of men’s team for 2026 season

EARLIER – The Tumbarumba Greens have become the second Southern NSW club in two days to announce they will not be fielding a men’s side in 2026.

The Greens have withdrawn their men’s team from the Goulburn Murray Storm Premiership, in doing so becoming the second club in the competition to withdraw a team in 2026, after Wolfpack RLFC announced it would enter recess late last year.

The club is also the second in two days to make the call, with its decision coming just a day after the Binalong Brahmans announced they will not be fielding a team in the George Tooke Shield this year.

Tumbarumba RLFC President Ray Lynch said that the decision came after the loss of several key players and the retirement of coach Robbie Byatt, with the club unable to find enough new players for the upcoming season.

 “The decision was made as we have lost about seven or eight players that have headed towards Tumut,” he said.

“We lost a couple of other blokes, I think Robbie Byatt is going to hang up the boots, we lost Aidan [Buckley], he went back up north, and just trying to find the players at this short of time is just near impossible.

“It’s a sad day, [going from] two Grand Finals in a row, and losing by two points and one point, then to not having a men’s side.”

This is not the first time that the Greens have encountered this situation.

After departing Group 9 at the end of the 2017 season, the club entered recess in 2018, before entering the Murray Cup as it was then known in 2019 and taking out the title in their first year in the competition.

The club then entered recess again in 2020, returning briefly in 2022, before again entering recess and not returning until 2024, when they again made a Grand Final appearance, followed by another last year, losing to Shepparton on both occasions.

However, much like last time, the silver lining for the club is that its women’s team will still play in 2026.

Lynch said that the Green Machine’s league tag team are comparatively well placed, with strong numbers, plenty of emerging talent, and coach Maddy McPherson on board again this year.

“Maddy McPherson is back again, her and Ruby [Ritchie] have taken up the coaching role,” he said.

“I think we’ve got a pretty strong women’s side, so we can concentrate on that.”

“We’ve got a lot of young girls coming up.”

“Three years ago we won it with just the girls side in it, so hopefully we can put in a good showing, and then in 2027 or 2028, we might get some people back and bring the two sides back.”

As for what the future holds for the 92-year-old club, Lynch said that he won’t be giving up the fight for Tumbarumba’s survival any time soon.

“[It] definitely won’t be the end,” he said.

“It’s one of those things, sometimes in these little country towns, you have your ups and your downs and this is probably one of the downs.

“We’ve still got the ladies side which is a positive, and hopefully that drags a men’s side back in the next year or so.

“I’m hoping it’s just a year off, I don’t want it to finish there, I definitely want to keep it going and get these sides happening in Tumba and bring the footy back.”

Binalong out of George Tooke Shield for 2026

The news comes just a day after the Binalong Brahmans announced they will not be fielding teams in the George Tooke Shield in 2026.

In a statement released via its Facebook page, the club said that the decision wasn’t taken lightly, but was ultimately made to try and ensure the future longevity of the club.

“Following a recent committee meeting, and after careful consideration of player numbers and long-term sustainability, the committee unanimously agreed that stepping away from the 2026 season is in the best interests of our club, players and community,” the statement read.

“With current numbers across both our men’s and women’s squads, we are not in a position to confidently meet the new George Tooke Shield competition requirements or guarantee that all teams would complete the season. 

“Rather than risk placing the club in a difficult position, we believe it is responsible to pause, regroup and rebuild.

“The 2026 year will be used as an opportunity to strengthen our player base, re-engage our community, and build a sustainable foundation for a strong return in 2027.

“We remain incredibly proud of our players, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who continue to show unwavering commitment to the Brahmans. 

“This is a reset, not an end, and we look forward to coming back stronger in 2027.”