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

Local steps up to the plate after legendary five-time premiership coach calls time

Tallon Smith A changing of the guard is set to take place at a Central Queensland powerhouse after the Yeppoon Seagulls confirmed that five-time premiership coach Shaun Goode has decided to step back in 2026. As a result, long-time Seagull Lewis McPhail will take the reins of the club’s A-Grade team as they aim to defend their eighth Rockhampton Senior Local Rugby League title in … Continue reading Local steps up to the plate after legendary five-time premiership coach calls time

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George Tooke Shield

Devils’ delight: Goulburn coach Gray returns to Crookwell for 2026 season

Tallon Smith The Crookwell Green Devils have landed a major coup ahead of the 2026 George Tooke Shield season after securing the services of outgoing Goulburn coach Brian Gray as coach for the upcoming campaign. A veteran coach with 25 years of experience working in the NRL world, Gray will return to the scene of his success in 2022, re-joining the Green Devils as they … Continue reading Devils’ delight: Goulburn coach Gray returns to Crookwell for 2026 season

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Group 4

Historic club set for return after 12 months out of the game

Cover Photo: Tom Pattison/Burnt Oak Photography Tallon Smith One of the state’s oldest clubs will take to the field once again next season after the Narrabri Blues confirmed they will return to the Group 4 competition in 2026 following a year in recess. After a few difficult years on field, culminating in a second-last placed finish, the Blues made the call to withdraw from the competition … Continue reading Historic club set for return after 12 months out of the game

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