Cover Photo: Tahlia Crane Photography

Tallon Smith – Analysis

After another busy off-season around Group 9, clubs are preparing to welcome new signings to their line-ups in the hope of securing a spot in the top five and a finals berth.

Over the summer, Battlers For Bush Footy has tracked every major signing and departure for each of the competition’s 10 clubs.

Now, with the signings frenzy coming to a conclusion, we will take a look at every team’s gains and losses and grade them based on their transfers over the summer.

Albury (B-)

Gains: Brad Nicholson (Corowa), Will Kelly (Yanco-Wamoon), Jeremy Wiscombe, Jacob Tobok, Jordan Uinipaulo, Siale Lavulavu, Christian Sifakula, Zac Mavaega, Kelepi Holi, Wyatt So’otago

Losses: Lachlan Hampton (retired), Isaac Carpenter, Clayton Couley, Osika Kaufononga, Sabastian Nelson, Kieran Ford

Comment: Albury have had a number of changes over the off-season, with a number of gains as well as several key losses. The return of highly regarded Englishman Brad Nicholson from Corowa will give the club a boost in the forwards after the departures of Isaac Carpenter and Clayton Couley. On top of this, the club has welcomed a host of new players from New Zealand, which has bolstered its numbers heading into the new season, while returning locals Will Kelly and Jeremy Wiscombe are also handy additions. One area where the club may be tested this season is halves depth, with a long-term injury to Group 9 representative five-eighth Paul Karaitiana in the Kelly Cup coming as a huge blow to the side, while Osika Kaufononga has also reportedly not returned this season.

Cootamundra (C)

Gains: Luke Berkrey (Yass)

Losses: Jacob Maher, Corey Gale, Sam Gash (Cronulla)

Comment: After a big influx of players ahead of the club’s return to Group 9 last year, Cootamundra has had a relatively quiet off-season this time around. Returning coach and local junior Luke Berkrey is the only confirmed acquisition of note out of the club. The Bulldogs mentor has declared that this season will feature a focus on developing talent from the club’s premiership-winning Under 18s side, with players such as Jai Willoughby, Ollie Hall, Ned Murray, Harry Boxsell expected to get plenty of time in first grade this year. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have also lost three players, with Jacob Maher, Corey Gale and Sam Gash all departing Les Boyd Oval over the summer.

Gundagai (C-)

Gains: Mark Asquith (Jamberoo)

Losses: Joel Field (retirement)

Comment: Another club to have a relatively quiet summer, the Tigers have followed the trend of last year with little fanfare surrounding transfers. Gundagai has secured just one signing, that of former Group 7 Michael Cronin Medallist Mark Asquith, who joins the club after a long and successful stint at Jamberoo. On the other hand, the only departure from the club following its fifth premiership victory in 10 years was the retirement of Joel Field, which was confirmed last year. Meanwhile, coach Aaron Gorrell also departed Tuckerbox Town over the off-season after taking up the role of Jersey Flegg coach at St George Illawarra, with Hayden Ashcroft promoted as his replacement in early December.

Junee (B)

Gains: Connor Garrety (North Sydney), Stu Dunbar, Neti Latu, Monson Tuvale (rugby union)

Losses: Mickael Goudemand (Macquarie Scorpions)

Comment: After falling short of a top five berth again last season, Junee has looked to bolster an already strong roster in 2026 with several new recruits. Former North Sydney half Connor Garrety has joined the club for the upcoming campaign, along with former Wagga Brothers forwards Neti Latu and Monson Tuvale. Former Australian rugby sevens captain Stu Dunbar has also committed to the upcoming campaign, after previously playing a handful of games for the Diesels in 2024. Though the club will again be without co-coaches Ben Shea and Chase Bernard through the opening rounds of the season as they complete their duties with Albi in the French Super XIII competition, Junee will be hoping its new recruits can get the side off to a good start this season, leaving it well positioned for a strong run into the finals.

South City (A)

Gains: Nathan Rose (Kangaroos), Mat Lyons (Ipswich), Luke McBeath (Kawana), Joel Tracey (Brothers)

Losses: Cleve McGhie (Brothers), Klayton Waikato, Seb Rodet, John Suli, Tevita Suli

Comment: By far and away one of the top performers of the off-season on the recruitment front, the Bulls have welcomed some serious talent to the club ahead of the 2026 season. Aside from the obvious headliner in returning three-time premiership winner Nathan Rose, South City has also welcomed home new captain-coach Luke McBeath from the Sunshine Coast competition and Joel Tracey from cross-town rivals Brothers. In addition to this, the Bulls have also recruited Ipswich Jets star and former Gundagai Tiger Mathew Lyons, who returns after a second two-year stint in the Queensland Cup. Although the club has also lost some serious quality in the form of Riverina representative Cleve McGhie and long-term five-eighth Klayton Waikato among others, South City is another side which looks drastically improved compared to last season. Add to that the club’s re-signed stars including Cody Hodge, Kyle McCarthy and Brody Tracey, and it is no surprise that the Bulls are one of the most talked about sides heading into the new season. The question now is whether or not the new recruits can help end the club’s seven-year first grade finals drought, beginning with a blockbuster clash against Young on April 19.

Temora (B+)

Gains: Khaileb Cameron-Pani (Wagga Kangaroos), Brandon Nima (PNG Hunters), Bailey Wallace (Shellharbour Sharks), Sam Burley (Yenda), Lucas Emblard (RC Carpentras)

Losses: Josh McCrone (retirement), Hayden Lomax (retirement)

Comment: A consistent finals outfit for the past four seasons, the Temora has been there and thereabouts without securing an elusive grand final berth. Heading into the new season, the Dragons have recruited strongly, securing two overseas players in PNG Hunters centre Brandon Nima and French Super XIII front rower Lucas Emblard. On top of that, Temora has also welcomed three more key recruits, with Shellharbour hooker Bailey Wallace, Wagga Kangaroos centre Khaileb Cameron-Pani and Yenda forward Sam Burley joining the club under new coach and brother of the latter Jordon Burley. While the club has lost two key members of its spine in former co-coaches Josh McCrone and Hayden Lomax, the Dragons’ strong performance in making the final of the West Wyalong Knockout has raised expectations going into the 2026 season, where the side will look to end a 20-year premiership drought.

Tumut (C-)

Gains: Ty Burgun (Tumbarumba), Lachy Burgun (Tumbarumba), Fynn DeBono (Tumbarumba), Roy Smith, Malaki Charles

Losses: Mitch Ivill, Jacob Sturt, Kyle Danilczak (Gungahlin), Matt Byatt (retirement), Bailey Maher, Todd Broad (retired), Billy Bridgeman, Trae King (Tumut Bulls rugby)

Comment: The Blues have been one of the sides hit hardest by departures over the off-season, with nine key squad members from last season moving on over the summer. Headlining that list are first grade stars Jacob Sturt, Kyle Danilczak, and Mitch Ivill, all of whom shape as significant absences from the club’s line-up. However, Tumut has also signed a number of players heading into the new season, with a trio from back-to-back Goulburn Murray Premiership grand finalists Tumbarumba linking with the club in Ty and Lachy Burgun and Fynn Debono. Despite this however, the Blues have no doubt had a huge net loss over the off-season, meaning that new faces will be required to step up for the club to secure another finals berth in 2026.

Wagga Brothers (B)

Gains: Cleveland McGhie (South City), Cohen Benson (Balmain), Bailie Lyttle (Merimbula-Pambula), Waratana Hartley, Zac Riley

Losses: Joel Tracey (South City)

Comment: Following a difficult past four seasons that include three wooden spoons and a year in recess, things are starting to look up for the club. The Brethren landed the first major signing of the Group 9 off-season, securing South City centre/second rower Cleve McGhie back in early October, followed by the addition of crucial halves depth in the form of Merimbula-Pambula playmaker Bailie Lyttle and returning local junior representative player Cohen Benson. The club’s other major signing of the summer, Waratana Hartley, also drew attention after being called into the Group 9 and Riverina squads before playing a game in the competition, while former Group 6 premiership player Zac Riley has also joined the side. Overall, despite the departure of talented edge forward Joel Tracey, Brothers have made some key improvements to their roster over the summer, and many eyes will be centred on how the club performs in round one against Tumut.

Wagga Kangaroos (D)

Gains: Fale Malase

Losses: Nathan Rose (South City), Khaileb Cameron-Pani (Temora), Harry Stewart (retirement), Zac Graham (retirement), Connor McCauley (Wests Newcastle), Charlie Barton (Wests Newcastle), Bowie Foster (Wests Newcastle), Ned Cooper (Berry-Shoalhaven Heads), Sam Macklan

Comment: If you even remotely follow Group 9, you would know that this off-season has been a tough one for the Wagga Kangaroos. The departure of coach Nathan Rose to cross-town rivals South City in November was followed by the loss of a trio of players to Wests Newcastle. Add to that further exits from Ned Cooper, Sam Macklan and Khaileb Cameron-Pani, as well as the retirement of Harry Stewart, and it is easy to see that the Roos have lost plenty of quality over the summer. However, the Wagga club does still have many quality players in its line-up, including Group 9 representatives Simione Naiduki and Dakota Ruta, Riverina back rower Shane Hannam, and an experienced coach in Zeik Foster. Add to that incoming former Junee forward Fale Malase, and while their summer has been a tough one, it may be forgotten altogether when the runners-up from the last three seasons take the field against Albury in round one.

Young (A-)

Gains: Brent Hawkins (South Sydney), Kane Ball (Albion Park-Oak Flats), Toataua Porima (Albion Park-Oak Flats), Charlie Woolford (Picton), Liam Balzan (Mittagong), Winiata Cherrington (Southern Districts rugby union)

Losses: Tom Giles (Coogee), Jake Walker (overseas), Tom Demeio, Riley Butcher, Devon Makoare-Boyce, Cathane Hill, Kai Parker, Robert Roberts, Isaac Matalavea-Booth

Comment: Following a strong return on a proactive approach to signing players over the past few years, Young has again gone to the well ahead of the 2026 season. The Cherrypickers have secured the services of 2024 Group 7 Michael Cronin Medallist Kane Ball and Albion Park-Oak Flats teammate Toataua Porima, along with Souths NSW Cup half Brent Hawkins and ex-Picton hooker Charlie Woolford. Add to that two further later signings in Mittagong’s Liam Balzan and Shute Shield star Winiata Cherrington, and Young shapes as a contender again this season. While the side also has a long departure list, including outgoing coach Tom Giles, England-bound prop Jake Walker, dynamic hooker/half Tom Demeio and experienced half Robert Roberts among others, the Cherrypickers have still found a way to improve their roster as they chase a second Group 9 title in three years.