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.
Queensland

The Sunshine Scorecard: A look at the finals picture in every Queensland country league

Cover Photo: Yeppoon Seagulls, 2023 Rockhampton League Premiers Tallon Smith With finals already here or fast approaching in most competitions across the country, we thought it’s about time we checked in with our neighbours to the north. Some competitions have already concluded, some are kicking off their finals action this weekend, while others have a few rounds to play. Without further ado, let’s take a … Continue reading The Sunshine Scorecard: A look at the finals picture in every Queensland country league

Unknown's avatarTallon Smith1 Comment
Group 20

The King of Lake Cargelligo: Jaden Kelly on his path to Group 20 stardom and his future at TLU

Cover Photo: Grace Morris Tallon Smith Jaden Kelly is a name synonymous with the Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo Sharks and Group 20 Rugby League. Since his debut almost two decades ago, Kelly has regularly produced the freakish, the otherworldly, dominating defences around the district and dazzling with more four-pointers and try assists than there are miles between Solar Mad Stadium and the Lake Recreation Ground. In an … Continue reading The King of Lake Cargelligo: Jaden Kelly on his path to Group 20 stardom and his future at TLU

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Western Riverina

Proten Cup: Barellan ends 22-year drought with dual premiership victories

Tallon Smith & Jamie Parsons Barellan’s men’s side have finally repeated their women’s side’s grand final feats, winning the Proten Cup Group 17 premiership for the first time in 22 years against Ivanhoe 22-20 at Stan Peters Oval in Hillston on Saturday. Barellan’s men’s side started their game the way their three-time champion girls’ finished, dominating early exchanges with Ivanhoe. Luke Farmer went over from … Continue reading Proten Cup: Barellan ends 22-year drought with dual premiership victories

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Group 19, Statewide

Statewide Wrap: Inverell secure Group 19 Minor Premiership, Barellan win Proten Cup

Cover Photo: Inverell Hawks Facebook Tallon Smith The Inverell Hawks have affirmed their status as title favourites in Group 19, securing the Minor premiership by a whopping eight points with a 40-16 win over Moree Boomerangs at the Moree Services Club Oval on Saturday. Led by a hat-trick to winger Trent Mehlert, the Hawks ran in seven tries to three in another impressive away victory … Continue reading Statewide Wrap: Inverell secure Group 19 Minor Premiership, Barellan win Proten Cup

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Northern Rivers

Experienced Northern Rivers coach to step down after half a decade in charge

Cover Photo: Northern United RLFC Facebook Tallon Smith Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League club Northern United Dirawongs are on the lookout for a new coach in 2026 after long-term coach Chris Binge announced that the 2025 campaign would be his last. The coach of the Dirawongs for the past five seasons, Binge guided Northern United to the finals last season, where they put up a … Continue reading Experienced Northern Rivers coach to step down after half a decade in charge

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Group 9

Group 9: Challenge Cup defence cause for celebration in rebuild season for Brothers

Cover Photo: Brothers’ Joel Tracey celebrates with the Challenge Cup in the sheds Tallon Smith There’s no doubting it’s been a tough year for the Wagga Brothers, as the club looks to continue the rebuild of its senior men’s program, but all the hard work yielded a small milestone on Saturday when the club defended the Ray White Group 9 Challenge Cup in a 22-10 … Continue reading Group 9: Challenge Cup defence cause for celebration in rebuild season for Brothers

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Statewide

Statewide Wrap: Incredible penalty goal after the siren completes weekend of upsets in Canberra

Tallon Smith It was a weekend of upsets in the Canberra Raiders Cup over the weekend, with four sides considered by many as underdogs getting the win across the round. One of the biggest of occurred at Walker Park on Saturday, when the Yass Magpies scraped home with an unlikely 22-20 win over third-placed West Belconnen Warriors courtesy of a Kaidan Bell penalty goal after … Continue reading Statewide Wrap: Incredible penalty goal after the siren completes weekend of upsets in Canberra

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Group 20

Group 20: Sharks thrive in the wet at Lake in strongest defensive performance in years

Cover Photo: Nicole Collins Tallon Smith It may have been a sight for weary eyes but it was a more than welcome one at Lake Cargelligo on Sunday as the Tullibigeal-Lakes United Sharks held top five opponents Yenda to nil in a 24-0 shutout. On a big occasion for the community, the Sharks dominated the contest on the club’s joint Old Boys Day, Indigenous Round … Continue reading Group 20: Sharks thrive in the wet at Lake in strongest defensive performance in years

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Group 7

Group 7: Knights shine in strong showing against gallant Bulldogs

Tallon Smith The Kiama Knights have continued their strong run of form in Group 7 First Grade after storming to a 46-6 win over the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs at the Kiama Showground on Sunday. In front of a healthy home crowd, the Knights led from start to finish to record their eighth win of the year and move one step closer to a potential top three … Continue reading Group 7: Knights shine in strong showing against gallant Bulldogs

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment