Cover Photo: John Leonard

Tallon Smith

The Albury Muddogs have started the new Goulburn Murray Premiership season in the best possible fashion after defeating last year’s grand finalists Tumbarumba 50-6 in their opening round clash at Sarvaas Park on Sunday.

Hooker Domenic Marzano starred with a hat-trick in his return to the club following a stint with Corowa, as the side ran in nine tries to Tumbarumba’s three for a comprehensive victory.

Muddogs co-coach Beau Smith said he was pleased with the first-up performance, with his side doing exactly what was required of them to cruise to a comfortable victory over the runners-up from the past two seasons.

“It was fantastic, the boys turned up really well and stuck to a really basic game plan just to keep moving forward and they did it all day long which was great,” he said.

“[The team] was ecstatic walking off the field, first game in a couple of years for the Muddogs, it was really good.”

After a difficult past six years where the club has been in and out of the men’s competition since the pandemic, the return to the field and subsequent rebrand has increased visibility and hopes for the future of Albury’s sometimes overlooked second rugby league club.

When asked about what the Muddogs’ return means to the club’s supporters and former players involved since its founding in 2017, Smith the proof was in the large crowd which packed the sidelines for their first home game on Sunday.

“It meant lots, you could see a lot of old faces on the sideline, a lot of fellas who have played in the past, a lot of people who have been a part of the club in the past also just reaching out,” he said.

“It meant a lot to a lot of different people, not just the guys who ran out on the day.”

As for Marzano’s three-try performance, Smith said that the number nine has been fantastic in the role, after returning to the club over the summer following a stint with Corowa.

“His head might get big with me saying this, but he’s probably the best hooker in the comp,” he said.

“Just having a fella who is able to look up when there’s anything on for him, just to go with it is phenomenal.

“I reckon he would have had six or seven runs from dummy half, that either ended up in a try or turned into him making 30 or 40 metres for the team.”

In the earlier game, a double to fullback Jale Vetawa led the Wangaratta Knights to their second win in two weeks to start the year in a 20-8 triumph over the Border Bears.

The Knights crossed for four tries with Thomas Evans and Jordan Dunn getting the others, while star prop Cam Miller scored the Bears’ only four-pointer of the day.

Meanwhile, the Wodonga Wombats started the season with a comfortable victory of their own, defeating Corowa 44-10 in the final match of the day.

Leatialli Afoa and Corey Cannon finished with doubles for the Wombats, with the win being the first under new head coach Wonna Williams.

The Wombats did the double in the women’s league tag competition, running out 32-6 victors over the Cougars.

Fullback Anita Ghimire led the way for Wodonga with two of the side’s six tries, while coach Sal Kaiwai also crossed the line.

The only other league tag match played saw the Border Bears run out 14-6 winners over the Wangaratta Knights, with Tumbarumba forfeiting their game against the Muddogs.

Group 16: Roosters defeat Devils in showdown

The Bega Roosters have moved to a 2-0 start under coach Zac Saddler with a 22-16 victory over fellow round one winners Narooma Devils at Bill Smith Oval on Saturday night.

Tries to Scott Fuller, Sam Cooper, Saddler and Lochie Ellard secured the six-point win over the Devils, which followed a 30-18 win over Eden in round one.

Bega coach Zac Saddler said that he has enjoyed the start to the season, with the side making early strides as it looks to return to finals football this year.

“It’s been a really rewarding start, they are a club that has been a successful club for a long time, and over the past few years, their first grade side hasn’t been performing as they should be,” he said.

“It’s been really rewarding to bring the young fellas in from the under 18s that won the comp last year, that played a lot of first grade last year, but probably didn’t have the back up needed when 17, 18 year old kids come into first grade.

“It’s been really pleasing, I think we’ve improved from the first week to the second week and we’ll look to improve this week.”

Next up for the Roosters is a clash with Merimbula-Pambula, a side which has won its first two games by identical mercy rule scores of 60-0 over Batemans Bay and Moruya.

While it will be a challenge, Saddler said he is both excited for the early test, and focused on improvement rather than the full time score.

“Getting around talking to a few people and watching some games, I know it is only round three, but by the looks of things they will be the team to beat,” he said.

“I’m not too concerned this weekend about the result or how it ends up, I’m more worried about just seeing improvement again, continued improvement from the second week to the third week.

“We’ve got a few injuries, which doesn’t help, but I’m confident the side we’ll put out there can definitely do a job.”

In other results, Cooma bounced back from its opening round loss to Tathra with a 24-22 win over Bombala in a local derby at Bombala Showground, while Tathra scored a big win over Batemans Bay 42-6 and Merimbula-Pambula defeated Moruya 60-0.

This weekend’s action is highlighted by a local derby tomorrow night between Batemans Bay and Moruya, with the other Saturday game being Tathra versus Narooma, before Eden hosts Bombala and Bega takes on Merimbula-Pambula on Sunday, with Cooma having the bye.

Peter McDonald Premiership: Fishies continue strong start against Cowboys

Defending premiers Dubbo CYMS became the third side in three weeks to finish with a 60-point win over Wellington, after running out 66-6 victors in their clash at Apex Oval to remain unbeaten this year.

However, with the score at 38-0, the resilient Cowboys were rewarded for their efforts in fronting up each week through a difficult campaign, with the side scoring its first try of the year.

Dubbo CYMS President Nick Sykes said his club has nothing but respect for the way in which Wellington has continued to fight through adversity and remain in the competition this season.

“We’ve got nothing but admiration for Wellington and what they’re doing, [it’s] always been a strong football community, so it’s good to see them blokes digging in,” he said.

“[They are] obviously going through a very tough time, but pleasing to see that they’re hanging in there.”

One of the best performers for the Fishies was back rower Seaun Stanley, who after returning from a pre-season in Penrith has put in two massive performances in CYMS’ last two games, highlighted by a four-try performance on Sunday.

Sykes said that despite the quadruple against the Cowboys, he was even more impressed with his showing against cross-town rivals Macquarie on Anzac Day, where he played the full game in the back row.

“[He] has been back for two weeks now, he’s playing really well, he’s very fit, done the pre-season in Sydney, so he’s a lot fitter than what he was last year,” he said.

“Played the 80 minutes against Macquarie, so [he’s] been going well.

“He scored four tries against Wellington, but his game against Macquarie, the minutes he played and the impact he had was very pleasing.”

Meanwhile, it was a good weekend for Orange teams, with the Hawks and CYMS both having big wins over traditional Group 10 opponents.

The Hawks made it two wins in a row with a strong 52-10 victory over Bathurst St Pats, while CYMS bounced back from their draw with Mudgee last week in a dominant 44-6 triumph over Lithgow.

Other results saw Mudgee remain unbeaten despite the aforementioned draw a week prior following a 38-22 win over Bathurst Panthers, while Parkes got the better of Dubbo Macquarie 30-16 and Forbes defeated Nyngan 38-12.

Canberra: Queanbeyan Roos remain unbeaten after derby win

2025 runners-up Queanbeyan Roos remain unbeaten in the Canberra Raiders Cup this season after picking up their third consecutive win against defending premiers Queanbeyan Blues 22-16 in the grand final rematch at Seiffert Oval on Saturday.

The Roos outscored their cross-town rivals four tries to three to avenge their grand final defeat, adding to previous wins over Tuggeranong and Yass in the opening two rounds.

Meanwhile, in other results, West Belconnen picked up its first win against Goulburn 22-18,  Tuggeranong opened its account with a 38-28 win over Gungahlin, and Woden Valley had a day out in a 50-6 victory over Yass.

This weekend sees two games in Queanbeyan as the Roos host Gungahlin at Seears Workwear Oval and the Blues tackle West Belconnen at Seiffert, while Woden Valley is set to face Tuggeranong at Woden Park and Yass will welcome Belconnen to Walker Park.

From the Riverina to the Rabbitohs: Siegwalt to debut on Saturday

Wagga’s own Latrell Siegwalt will make his long-awaited NRL debut for South Sydney on Saturday night after being named in the centres for the club’s clash with Cronulla-Sutherland.

The 25-year-old replaces superstar Latrell Mitchell in the centres for the Bunnies, as they hunt a bounce-back win following their last start 42-38 loss to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

Siegwalt has had a different journey to the NRL compared to most players, playing a number of seasons in the Group 9 competition with South City, Gundagai and Wagga Kangaroos, winning a premiership with the undefeated Tigers in 2022.

A strong performance at the 2023 Koori Knockout then led to Siegwalt signing with the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup, before moving to the Broncos system and then eventually Souths.

Siegwalt played in the pre-season Charity Shield for the Rabbitohs, scoring a try, and has been named in the side’s 19-man squad on a number of occasions but is yet to take the field.

South Sydney’s clash with the Sharks at Accor Stadium kicks off at 5:30pm tomorrow.