Talking Twenty: Mallee Men on the board on weekend with derbies galore

Tallon Smith The West Wyalong Mallee Men have secured their first competition points of the 2025 Group 20 First Grade season after a 30-18 victory over local rivals Tullibigeal-Lakes United at Ron Crowe Oval on Sunday.  Five tries, scored by Callan Blackstock, Max Lawson, Chris Judd, Shane Phillips and Cruze Loudon were enough to see the Mallee Men overcome a Sharks side without star half … Continue reading Talking Twenty: Mallee Men on the board on weekend with derbies galore

Talking Twenty: Can anyone match it with the high-flying Waratah Tigers?

Tallon Smith The Griffith Waratah Tigers improved to 5-0 through the first six rounds of the Group 20 season with a 28-12 win over the DPC Roosters at the Exies Oval on Sunday afternoon. The Waratah Tigers ran in five tries to two in yet another strong performance to hand the defending premier Roosters their third loss in five games to open their campaign. Speaking … Continue reading Talking Twenty: Can anyone match it with the high-flying Waratah Tigers?

Diesels primed for top five push with champion coaches set to bolster team after ‘upset of the decade’

Tallon Smith The Junee Diesels’ title hopes are set to receive an almighty boost in the coming weeks with coaches Ben Shea and Chase Bernard set to return to Australia following their French title win on the weekend. The pair will join the club after their triumph with the Albi Tigers, who beat Carcassonne 26-6 in the French Super XIII Grand Final on Sunday. Diesels … Continue reading Diesels primed for top five push with champion coaches set to bolster team after ‘upset of the decade’

Statewide Wrap: Diesels shock Pickers, St Pats take Bathurst Derby as Walgett crowned KO champions

Tallon Smith The final full weekend in May was a hit and miss weekend for rugby league across the New South Wales, with many groups cancelling games due to waterlogged fields. Barring three games in Newcastle, all games down the coast from Coffs Harbour to Ulladulla were cancelled or postponed, as well as matches in the Group 21 and the Canberra Region competitions. Our thoughts … Continue reading Statewide Wrap: Diesels shock Pickers, St Pats take Bathurst Derby as Walgett crowned KO champions

Group 7 Magic Round launched ahead of Beer, Footy and Food Festival in Bomaderry

Tallon Smith  Anticipation is building and preparations are underway after the launch of the inaugural Group 7 Rugby League Magic Round and Beer, Footy and Food Festival at Artie Smith Oval in Bomaderry on Thursday. Over 4000 rugby league players, spectators and officials are set to descend upon the Shoalhaven for the event on May 31, which will see four back-to-back local first grade games, … Continue reading Group 7 Magic Round launched ahead of Beer, Footy and Food Festival in Bomaderry

The Corowa Collection: the story of the early years of rugby league on the Murray

Tallon Smith The Corowa Cougars are a rugby league club steeped in rich history across their 39 years of existence. Founded in 1986 as the town’s first rugby league club, the Cougars joined the Group 13 Rugby League competition in 1987. With the town’s main ground, John Foord Oval, home to the Corowa-Rutherglen Roos in the Ovens & Murray Football League in what is an … Continue reading The Corowa Collection: the story of the early years of rugby league on the Murray

Talking Twenty: Black and Whites bounce back with strong win at home against Hay

Tallon Smith The Griffith Black and Whites bounced back from their shock last start loss to the TLU Sharks to secure a 28-20 win over the Hay Magpies at Solar Mad Stadium in round five of Group 20 action on Sunday. Led by a new halves pairing of Gospel Toru and Jasvir Singh-Clark, the Black and Whites piled on six tries in their most complete … Continue reading Talking Twenty: Black and Whites bounce back with strong win at home against Hay

Around the groups: Black and Whites click into gear, Kiama take derby win over two-time premiers

Tallon Smith With another spectacular weekend of bush footy in the books, we take a look at all the results from across the state. Group 20 The Griffith Black and Whites bounced back from their shock last start loss to the TLU Sharks to secure a 28-20 win over the Hay Magpies at Solar Mad Stadium in round five of Group 20 action on Sunday. … Continue reading Around the groups: Black and Whites click into gear, Kiama take derby win over two-time premiers

Group 9: Cootamundra get first Group 9 win in six years as Tumut, Roos remain undefeated

Tallon Smith The Cootamundra Bulldogs hit a major milestone in their rebuild after winning their first Group 9 First Grade game in six years with a 34-12 victory over the Wagga Brothers at Geohex Park on Saturday. Centre Sam Gash starred for the Bulldogs, with two tries and five goals for a personal haul of 18 points, while front rower Nikola Sovatabua dominated through the … Continue reading Group 9: Cootamundra get first Group 9 win in six years as Tumut, Roos remain undefeated

Is six games enough for rugby league to survive in these small communities?

Tallon Smith Concerns have again been raised about the viability of the Barwon Darling Rugby League after an even shorter season with fewer clubs was confirmed upon the release of the competition’s 2025 fixture. The competition draw, forwarded to Battlers For Bush Footy on Thursday, features just four clubs competing over six rounds before a two-week finals series. This comes off the back of the … Continue reading Is six games enough for rugby league to survive in these small communities?