Author: Tallon Smith

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, a project that morphed into my website Battlers For Bush Footy in 2021. My work has been published in more than a dozen mastheads including The Riverine Grazier, Back Country Bulletin, The Area News, The Irrigator, The Area News, Gundagai Times, Yass Valley Times, Cootamundra Times, Young News, Junee Independent, Deniliquin Pastoral Times and West Wyalong Advocate.
Castlereagh League

Castlereagh Column: Coolah downs Coonabarabran in historic NRL curtain-raiser in Mudgee

Bryson Luff In what was the first ever Castlereagh League match played beyond the vast Castlereagh area, the Coolah Kangaroos and the Coonabarabran Unicorns met for their final competition round game as the curtain raiser to the NRL clash between the Penrith Panthers and the Canberra Raiders at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Stadium on Saturday. The match kicked off in front of an already very big … Continue reading Castlereagh Column: Coolah downs Coonabarabran in historic NRL curtain-raiser in Mudgee

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Group 16

Bombala celebrates 1976 Clayton Cup anniversary with upset victory over finals hopefuls Eden

Tallon Smith Cover Photo: Razorback Sports Photography The Bombala Blue Heelers celebrated the 50th anniversary of the club’s 1976 premiership and Clayton Cup win with an upset 38-22 victory over the Eden Tigers at the Bombala Showground on Saturday. In front of a raucous home crowd including several members of the Bombala and Delegate teams from the famous 1976 local derby grand final, the Blue … Continue reading Bombala celebrates 1976 Clayton Cup anniversary with upset victory over finals hopefuls Eden

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Statewide

Statewide Scoreboard: August 1-2, 2026

Welcome to your one-stop shop for every score in every First Grade game in regional NSW every weekend! Cover Photo: The Corrimal Cougars sit atop the Illawarra Rugby League ladder after Saturday’s victory over Thirroul (Photo: Tallon Smith) For live scores, draws, ladders and lower grades click here. Bidgee Region Group 9 General bye Group 20 General bye Canberra Goulburn 40 defeated Yass 12 Belconnen … Continue reading Statewide Scoreboard: August 1-2, 2026

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Group 7

‘Felt like a grand final’: Warilla ends 708-day Group 7 first grade drought

Cover Photo: JGRimages Tallon Smith Almost two years of heartache was washed away on Sunday afternoon when the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas ended a 708-day first grade win drought with a 12-8 victory over the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs at Cec Glenholmes Oval. The two sides headed to the break locked at 4-all following tries to Gorillas back rower Mitch Hickey and Bulldogs fullback Blake Jones, it was … Continue reading ‘Felt like a grand final’: Warilla ends 708-day Group 7 first grade drought

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Western Riverina

Heartbreak again for Ivanhoe as Goolgowi ends seven-year Proten Community Cup drought

Cover Photo: Andrew McLean Photography Tallon Smith The Goolgowi Rabbitohs have claimed their first Proten Community Cup title in seven years after defeating the Ivanhoe Roosters 20-6 on their home turf in the grand final at the Sahara Oval on Saturday afternoon. The Rabbitohs ran in four tries to one courtesy of doubles to Tom Sellars and Henry Taylor, with the latter adding two goals … Continue reading Heartbreak again for Ivanhoe as Goolgowi ends seven-year Proten Community Cup drought

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Group 7

Berry-Shoalhaven Heads snaps seven-game losing streak with victory over Warilla

Tallon Smith The Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies broke a run of seven straight defeats with a 26-18 victory over the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas at Cec Glenholmes Oval on Sunday afternoon. Having last won back in round six against Nowra-Bomaderry, the Magpies lost successive games to Kiama, Stingrays, Shellharbour Sharks, Milton-Ulladulla, Gerringong, Jamberoo and Albion Park-Oak Flats, before breaking the two-month drought last weekend with the exact … Continue reading Berry-Shoalhaven Heads snaps seven-game losing streak with victory over Warilla

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Western Premiership

Western Wrap: Panthers consolidate place in PMP top eight with victory over fast-starting Lithgow

Photo: Bathurst Panthers Facebook Tallon Smith Bathurst Panthers have consolidated their position inside the Peter McDonald Premiership top eight with two rounds to play after overcoming an early 12-0 deficit to record a 28-12 win over Lithgow Workies at Carrington Park on Saturday afternoon. Winger Haydn Edwards finished with a hat-trick of tries, comprising half of the Panthers’ total in the six tries to two … Continue reading Western Wrap: Panthers consolidate place in PMP top eight with victory over fast-starting Lithgow

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George Tooke Shield

Dawson scores four as Crookwell wins crucial clash with Bungendore

Tallon Smith Crookwell consolidated its grip on third spot with two rounds of the George Tooke Shield regular season remaining with a 48-16 victory over Bungendore at the Crookwell Memorial Oval on Saturday. Fullback Charlie Dawson starred with four tries and six goals for a personal haul of 28 points as the Green Devils moved four competition points clear of the Tigers to all but … Continue reading Dawson scores four as Crookwell wins crucial clash with Bungendore

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Group 9

Junee moves a step closer to ending finals drought with victory over Southcity in Foley’s 200th

Cover Photo: Junee Diesels Tallon Smith The Junee Diesels moved one step closer to ending an eight-year finals drought with a 28-18 victory over the Southcity Bulls at Laurie Daley Oval on Sunday. In club legend Daniel Foley’s 200th game, it was a quickfire pair of tries involving halfback Connor Garrety following the half time break that proved pivotal after Nathan Rose had an early … Continue reading Junee moves a step closer to ending finals drought with victory over Southcity in Foley’s 200th

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Group 9

‘Really working’: Enjoyment key to consecutive wins as Albury downs Cootamundra

Tallon Smith The Albury Thunder have re-emerged as a finals contender in Group 9 after securing their first back-to-back wins of the season with an upset 20-8 victory over Cootamundra at Les Boyd Oval on Sunday. After the Bulldogs levelled the scores at 8-all less than a minute into the second half thanks to a try to Josh Harris off the kickoff, the Thunder hit … Continue reading ‘Really working’: Enjoyment key to consecutive wins as Albury downs Cootamundra

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