Tallon Smith – Analysis

After another busy off-season around Group 20, 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.

Darlington Point-Coleambally (C+)

Gains: Blake Carroll, Billy Robb, Kiniviliame Nauvusi, Marika Kuriyalavou, Isireli Nasawali, Sakiusa Dreunimolea, Sitiveni Peli Sanawa, Lacabuka Whyse, Livai Vota

Losses: Orisi Rokobati (Hay), Joey Peato (Yenda)

Comment: Darlington Point-Coleambally has recruited a number of new players over the off-season, which will inject some new life into an already back-to-back premiership-winning team. The Roosters will welcome two familiar surnames back into their lineup in 2026, with Blake Carroll and Billy Robb returning to the club that their fathers won premierships at during its golden era in the 1980s. DPC also listed to Battlers a number of other new signings which are set to join the side this season as they hunt the club’s first three-peat. However, the loss of two experienced premiership players in Orisi Rokobati and Joey Peato will mean a reshuffle is needed for the most formidable outfit of the past two seasons. All in all, with quality players such as Guy Thompson, Ben Jeffery and Josh Veivers still remaining across the paddock, the Roosters again look like one of the teams to beat this year.

Griffith Black and Whites (B)

Gains: Isaiah Nauer (Waratahs), Isaiah Buerckner-Little (Yenda), Sua Fatialofatietie, Judd Stevenson

Losses: None

Comment: After a disappointing finish to the 2025 season saw the club miss the top five after a grand final appearance the year before, the Black and Whites have been one of the better performed teams in the player market over the off-season. The club has landed two intra-group transfers, securing already established first graders Isaiah Nauer and Isaiah Buerckner-Little for the upcoming season. Add to that a couple more gains and a clean sheet on the losses front, and Kodie Charles’ men are in good shape to push for a return to the finals this season.

Griffith Waratahs (C)

Gains: Sima Tau (Auckland), Io Lotoa’atu (Auckland)

Losses: Isaiah Nauer (Black & Whites), Solomone Nabete (Yenda), Junior Lilomaiava (Yenda)

Comment: After bursting out of the blocks last season to start a perfect 11 from 11, the Waratah Tigers stumbled in the back half of the year to fall just short of a grand final appearance. In addition to that, the club has lost three players over the summer, with Isaiah Nauer being the biggest name on the departure list. However, the club has gained two players from the well-regarded Auckland competition, with Sima Tau and Io Lotoa’atu joining the club for the upcoming campaign. With an already strong line-up featuring players such as Group 20 representative stars James Girdler and Elvis Nauer-Wood in addition to the pair of new signings, the Waratahs again loom as a strong contender in 2026.

Hay (C-)

Gains: Orisi Rokobati (DPC)

Losses: Ben Arandt (Toowoomba Brothers), Will Barnes (Toowoomba Brothers), Chris Stewart (retirement)

Comment: The storyline regarding the Magpies’ off-season has been set in stone since before their historic grand final-making campaign ended last season. Much has been made of what impact the losses of reigning Ray Thorpe Medallist Ben Arandt and star hooker Will Barnes will have on the side, with many predicting that Hay will drop off in 2026. Add to that the retirement of coach Chris Stewart, and things were looking tough for the club over the summer. However, the late announcement of local hero turned DPC premiership winner Orisi Rokobati to the club has provided a huge boost to the Magpies’ chances in 2026. With the prospect of a one-two front row punch from Rokobati and Jerry Balenawi, the damage to Hay’s forward stocks is nowhere near as bad as many thought it would be. They definitely have lost some talent, but don’t be surprised if Zac O’Neill’s men are a factor come September.

Leeton (C)

Gains: Beniel Dakunibubului (Manly)

Losses: Kaijen Johnson (Narrandera), Shan Bradbrook (Yanco), Ky Preston (Yanco)

Comment: An ever-present force within the competition, the Greenies have had a balanced off-season largely centred on retaining their core roster. The return of 2023 Barry Hails Medallist Beniel Dakunibubului will no doubt bring with it hopes that he can emulate the stunning form of the club’s last premiership season, which culminated with one of the best all-time bush footy try savers to deny Jonathan Sila what loomed as a grand final match-winner. However, the club has also faced a major loss towards the end of the off-season, with experienced half and co-coach Shan Bradbrook returning to local rivals Yanco-Wamoon for the upcoming campaign. Aside from those obvious headlines, the Greenies have been pretty quiet, with two departures in Kaijen Johnson and Ky Preston being the only other movements. Overall, with a largely stable line-up, young stars such as Dakunibubului and emergning half Cayden Hillier, and plenty of experience, Leeton is another team which should be thereabouts come crunch time in early spring.

Narrandera (reserves) (C+)

Gains: Bodean Tereva (Yanco-Wamoon), Kaijen Johnson (Leeton)

Losses: None

Comment: Given a difficult task of recruiting players to a reserve grade outfit over the off-season, Narrandera have done quite well to welcome back two players who were playing first grade elsewhere to spearhead the next step in the club’s rebuild. The Lizards secured the services of forward Bodean Tereva over the off-season, who will take on a co-coach role with non-playing mentor John Ingram. Rising star Kaijen Johnson has also returned to the club for the 2026 campaign after a strong stint at Leeton. The Lizards have also retained a number of key players from recent seasons, including the dynamic Malek Afuamua-Lyons. Overall, while it is hard to get a read on Narrandera at this point, given their strong form in the Proten Community Cup in recent years and experience in big games, should they make the top five in this year’s reserves competition, they will be more than equipped to handle the pressure. Just how Narrandera goes in their long awaited Group 20 return will be the subject of interest for many.

Tullibigeal-Lakes United (C-)

Gains: Bobby Jones (West Wyalong), Hugh Hayes (Goulburn), Brant Frankel

Losses: None

Comment: After a strong finish to last season, the Sharks have had a quiet summer, with just one recruit joining the club. Bobby Jones moves over to TLU from West Wyalong, joining brother Max at the club, along with fellow signing Hugh Hayes and the returning Brant Frankel. The Sharks have also had no reported losses over the off-season, with the only other change being a coaching swap, with Nathan Morris stepping back from the role to focus on playing this season, paving the way for new duo Cody Collins and Craig Morriss to take on the job. Although they have had some tough results over the previous few years, a lot of talent is starting to filter through the grades at Lakes, and with players such as Collins, Morris and Jaden Kelly in the line-up, don’t be surprised if the Sharks make a late charge this season.

West Wyalong (A)

Gains: Luke Clarke (Parkes), David White (Forbes), Joash Toringi (Parkes), Clay Morton (Gin Gin), Lockie Miller, Oscar Wood, Brandon Jones, Elex Nesedra, Kepas Kepesa, Joe Epoa.

Losses: Bobby Jones (TLU Sharks)

Comment: By far and away the best performed team on the recruitment front over the summer, the Mallee Men look a vastly different outfit to the team that finished with the wooden spoon in 2025. New coach Luke Clarke has been on a signing spree, securing several new players from his former competition in the Peter McDonald Premiership, including strong forwards Joash Toringi and David White, and speedy outside back Lockie Miller. Add to that a number of other new recruits, such as returning former hooker Oscar Wood, Bundaberg native Clay Morton, as well as a number of other players, and West Wyalong has put together a formidable roster for the 2026 season. Meanwhile, despite the loss of talented half Bobby Jones to TLU, the Mallee Men have no further departures, which is crucial as the club looks to re-form its reserve grade side after a year without one. Overall, the signs are pointing towards huge improvement from the Mallee Men this year.

Yanco-Wamoon (B+)

Gains: Shan Bradbrook (Leeton), Nia Remuera, John Wharepapa-Rawiri, Vagi Toua Vai, Krish Henao, Ky Preston (Leeton)

Losses: Bodean Tereva (Narrandera)

Comment: After withdrawing from the first grade competition and winning just a single reserve grade game in 2024, the Hawks bounced back emphatically last year, finishing fourth and qualifying for the finals, before being bundled out in week one by a Hay team en route to the grand final. The Hawks are well-placed to capitalise on that foundation this season, with the key signing of experienced half Shan Bradbrook from the Leeton Greenies leading a strong off-season on the recruitment from for the club. Add to that strong Papua New Guinean centre Krish Henao, lock Vagi Toua Vai, and later additions Nia Remuera, John Wharepapa-Rawiri, as well as the return of Ky Preston, and the Hawks’ depth looks even better this season despite the loss of Bodean Tereva. Finally, with two Group 20 representative players in Jim Ratulolo and Ulai Oti-Lahood also in the line-up, it is no surprise that at least one opposition coach has told Battlers he believes Yanco-Wamoon are a genuine first grade title threat in 2026.

Yenda (B-)

Gains: Joey Peato (DPC), Solomone Nabete (Griffith Waratahs), Junior Lilomaiava (Griffith Waratahs), Chris Latu (Griffith Waratahs)

Losses: Isaiah Buerckner-Little (Black & Whites), Sam Burley (Temora), Tom Sellars (Goolgowi), Isaiah Potts, Jacob Busnello, Broden Piva

Comment: A competitive finals outfit for the past half a decade, Yenda uncharacteristically fell short of the top five last season, falling to wooden spooners West Wyalong in a shock final round loss at Ron Crowe Oval. However, the Blueheelers have recruited well over the off-season, landing the huge signatures of Darlington Point-Coleambally premiership centre Joey Peato and veteran Waratahs forward Chris Latu. Add to that two more new signings in Waratahs duo Solomone Nabete and Junior Lilomaiava, and a number of crucial re-signings, and while the club has lost a lot of experience in Isaiah Buerckner-Little, Sam Burley, Tom Sellars, Isaiah Potts, Jacob Busnello and Broden Piva, there is still a lot of talent in Yenda’s line-up. Should the new signings find their feet early in the season, a top five finish is more than in reach for the Blueheelers this year.