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/
Statewide

Battler of the Year award renamed to honour Peter “Parra” Montgomery

This coming weekend will mark six weeks since the country rugby league world lost one of its most dedicated and influential figures in Peter “Parra” Montgomery. In six decades as a journalist, player, volunteer and administrator, Parra contributed an immense amount to the game in Hay, Albury, the broader Riverina and the whole state through roles at local and representative level. In his later years, … Continue reading Battler of the Year award renamed to honour Peter “Parra” Montgomery

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Representative

Late charge sees Indigenous Invitational side hold off Group 20 Pasifika

Tallon Smith Despite dominating large parts of the clash, the NSW Indigenous Invitational side had to rally late to secure a 26-12 win over a gallant Group 20 Pasifika outfit at Darlington Point Sportsground on Saturday night. Roared on by a crowd of well over 500 people in hot and dusty conditions, the Indigenous team scored six tries to two, only for poor goalkicking to … Continue reading Late charge sees Indigenous Invitational side hold off Group 20 Pasifika

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Riverina

Invitational match set to showcase best of Riverina’s Indigenous and Pasifika talent

Cover Photo: DPC’s Guy Thompson and Ben Jeffery will feature in the match Tallon Smith Footy fans in the Western Riverina will receive a rare summer treat this Saturday night in the form of an invitational showdown between the NSW Indigenous RL and Group 20 Pasifika teams at the Darlington Point Sportsground. With the vast majority of both teams selected from local talent, the match … Continue reading Invitational match set to showcase best of Riverina’s Indigenous and Pasifika talent

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Riverina

Healthy attendance at initial meeting adds to momentum for senior league in Coolamon

Tallon Smith Coolamon is one step closer to having its own rugby league team once again after a successful initial meeting was held at the Coolamon Sports and Recreation Club on Saturday afternoon. Organised by Battlers For Bush Footy and the Coolamon Raiders JRLFC President Tom Besgrove, the meeting was designed to give locals an opportunity to explore, discuss and shape the direction of the … Continue reading Healthy attendance at initial meeting adds to momentum for senior league in Coolamon

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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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