West Wyalong equals win tally from last season inside five rounds following derby victory over TLU

Cover Photo: Gemma Clarke

Tallon Smith

The West Wyalong Mallee Men have equalled their win total from last year within the opening five rounds of the Group 20 season with a hard-fought 28-18 victory over local rivals Tullibigeal-Lakes United at Ron Crowe Oval on Sunday.

Four first half tries to Logan Pettit, Brandon Jones, Jaxon Lemon and Logan Collins saw the Mallee Men take a 22-8 lead into the break, with a lone try to Will Tulloch enough to withstand a TLU fightback in the second half for a 28-18 victory.

Playing in his first local derby since joining the club from Parkes, West Wyalong coach Luke Clarke said the match was an “unreal” contest.

“I obviously haven’t been in this competition, but the rivalry [is big], a lot of local boys playing for each side,” he said.

“It was a very physical, emotional game, so it was unreal to get the win.”

Among the cellar dwellers for the past couple of years, the competition’s two northernmost sides have both experienced a revival in 2026, with the Sharks coming into the match with three wins from four games and Mallee Men with two of their own.

With the teams carrying this strong form into the clash, Clarke said the opening quarter of an hour was a battle before the Mallee Men started to gain the upper hand.

“It was very physical early, both sides completed their sets,” he said.

“The first 15 minutes was like a grinding game, both sides completed really well, kicked to corners, then we finally got a bit of shape and got over the line.

“Across the park everyone put in today, it was a really good team effort, defence was really good.”

The Mallee Men have won three games in five rounds, the same amount as they did all last season (Photo: Gemma Clarke)

One of the biggest changes for West Wyalong this season has been the shift of Jaxon Lemon to fullback over the past fortnight, which has freed up Logan Collins for a move into the centres.

With both players getting themselves on the scoresheet again on Sunday, Clarke said the move has been a massive success two weeks in.

“It has been unreal, Jacko has been unreal at the one, and Loges has been strong in defence and his running game has been awesome at centre,” he said.

Although West Wyalong appeared to be in a strong position leading 28-8 with a quarter of the match to play, the Sharks began to fight back, with halfback Jaden Kelly sending winger Sinelle Thorpe over for a second try, before putting on a chip and chase of his own to close the gap to 10 points.

Clarke said that despite the fact his side controlled the majority of the contest, there was still room for a bit of trademark “magic” from the veteran opposition playmaker.

“We got in the grind early but then we wore them down and we got some points on the board, but Jaden Kelly threw a bit of magic at us,” he said.

“There was a pass to the winger, which they were probably lucky to get that try, but that was allowed, and then he [did] a really good chip and chase himself and scored, so it was a bit of late magic.”

Next up for West Wyalong is a clash with the Griffith Black and Whites at home this Sunday, while TLU will travel to Griffith for a clash with Waratahs.

Looking around Group 20 at other scores from round five, the Yanco-Wamoon Hawks took out their local derby with Leeton 14-10, the Griffith Waratah Tigers flexed their muscle against Hay 48-6, and the Griffith Black and Whites defeated Yenda 34-20 for their second win of the year.