Author: Tallon Smith

Hi, my name is Tallon, and I am a rugby league journalist covering country football. I have been covering rugby league since I was 14, when I launched my first publication, In Touch, covering grassroots footy in South West NSW. Fast forward three years to the age of 17, and that project morphed into Battlers For Bush Footy, a project which I have been devoted to ever since. A keen observer of most sports, rugby league is my first true love, and the game I spend almost all of my winter months immersed in, producing content for Battlers For Bush Footy. I am also a keen follower of cricket, which I tend to cover in the summer months when rugby league is in its off-season. In addition to this, I am familiar with and have the capacity to cover various other sports such as basketball, Australian rules football, tennis, rugby union, soccer and motorsport. My work has been published in many mastheads including the Riverine Grazier, The Irrigator, The Area News, Gundagai Times, Yass Valley Times, Cootamundra Times, Boorowa Times, Twin Town Times, Young News, Junee Independent, Deniliquin Pastoral Times and West Wyalong Advocate. I'm still learning the ropes as a student of the craft, with the hope of one day turning my passion into a career. Visit my website for more info: https://tallonasmith.wordpress.com/
Pre-Season

Massive eight-game opening night set to kick off 53rd annual West Wyalong Knockout

Tallon Smith A blockbuster eight-game opening night will kick off the 53rd edition of the West Wyalong Knockout on Friday week after the release of the tournament draw this evening. All 16 draw places have been filled for this year’s event, to be held over two days on the 27th and 28th of February, with 11 of the 13 clubs that participated in last year’s … Continue reading Massive eight-game opening night set to kick off 53rd annual West Wyalong Knockout

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Representative, Riverina

Strong second half showing secures victory for Group 9 women 

Tallon Smith A stunning second half performance from Group 9 has turned a two point half time deficit into a 36-12 victory in the women’s Kelly Cup match against Group 20 at Yenda’s Wade Park on Saturday. Dana Seward opened the scoring for the Gladiators, before the Razorbacks hit back through a stunning runaway effort from fullback Wendy Gonevulavula to level the game at 6-all. … Continue reading Strong second half showing secures victory for Group 9 women 

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Representative, Riverina

Committed defensive display sees Group 9 extend hold on Kelly Cup to 14 years

Tallon Smith Group 9 has retained the Kelly Cup for a 14th straight year after defeating a gallant Group 20 outfit 28-10 in a physical clash at Wade Park in Yenda on Saturday evening. Playing in 31-degree heat, the Gladiators held the Razorbacks scoreless for the opening 72 minutes and took their opportunities when presented to retain the title and Riverina bragging rights in the … Continue reading Committed defensive display sees Group 9 extend hold on Kelly Cup to 14 years

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Group 17

Vale Geoff Snowdon, Legendary 1967 Hay Magpies Premiership Captain-Coach

Tallon Smith The Hay rugby league community is mourning another legend of the club’s golden era after the passing of premiership coach and Magpies Team of the Century member Geoff Snowdon last week at the age of 81. Coach of the club’s 1967 side that defeated Coleambally 17-9 to claim the Group 17 crown, Snowdon led the Magpies to three straight grand finals from 1966 … Continue reading Vale Geoff Snowdon, Legendary 1967 Hay Magpies Premiership Captain-Coach

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Group 7

New women’s tackle competition set to further opportunities for South Coast players 

Cover Photo: Game Face Photography/Group 7 Facebook Tallon Smith Women’s footy on the South Coast is set to take a major stride forward in 2026 after Group 7 Rugby League announced the formation of a new Women’s Nines premiership competition. Beginning in May and scheduled to take place over 14 weeks, the competition will feature eight sides from across the region, stretching from Warilla in … Continue reading New women’s tackle competition set to further opportunities for South Coast players 

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Representative

Riverina among four teams set for extra preliminary game to open Country Championships

Cover Photo: Pita Visuals Tallon Smith The Riverina Bulls and Monaro Colts will start their 2026 Country Championships campaign with a preliminary round showdown at Junee’s Laurie Daley Oval on Sunday, March 1. The two sides will join the Northern Tigers and North Coast Bulldogs in playing an extra preliminary round game to qualify for the quarter finals of the four-week knockout competition, due to the … Continue reading Riverina among four teams set for extra preliminary game to open Country Championships

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