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.
Canberra Region, Group 16, Statewide

Statewide Scoreboard: Goulburn, Narooma back on the winners list, two games drawn in Group 4

Tallon Smith The siren has sounded on another weekend of action across the state, and winners have taken their points from a great weekend of footy. The Goulburn City Bulldogs won their second game of the Canberra Raiders Cup season after a 30-18 win over the Gungahlin Bulls at the Gungahlin Enclosed Oval. The after a win over the Yass Magpies in round one, the … Continue reading Statewide Scoreboard: Goulburn, Narooma back on the winners list, two games drawn in Group 4

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Group 9

Group 9 Wrap: Tigers cause big upset over Pickers, Blues outlast Bulls in Harris Park battle

Tallon Smith The Gundagai Tigers have caused the upset of the 2025 Great Northern Group 9 First Grade season so far with a 30-22 victory over defending premiers Young Cherrypickers at Anzac Park on Sunday. Last year’s Reserve Grade Grand Final hero Toby Dasey, who returned to the Tigers after initially linking with Junee for this season, scored an early double around a Tom Giles … Continue reading Group 9 Wrap: Tigers cause big upset over Pickers, Blues outlast Bulls in Harris Park battle

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Group 20

Talking Twenty: Waratahs maintain unbeaten start, First Grade match called off 

Tallon Smith The Griffith Waratah Tigers have won their fourth straight game to start the season after a narrow 18-16 win over the Leeton Greenies at the Exies Oval on Sunday. Both sides scored three tries each in the nail biting affair, but in the end it was the goalkicking of Ulu Akolo which proved the difference, with the Waratahs winger nailing three from three … Continue reading Talking Twenty: Waratahs maintain unbeaten start, First Grade match called off 

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Group 7

Group 7 Wrap: Upsets galore as Magpies register first win of the year, Stingrays win derby

Tallon Smith The highly competitive start to the South Coast Group 7 season has continued into the fifth round of the competition, with the Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies getting their first win back in the top grade competition with a 20-18 home victory over Jamberoo. After both sides scored three tries and kicked all three conversions, a penalty goal was enough to get the chocolates for … Continue reading Group 7 Wrap: Upsets galore as Magpies register first win of the year, Stingrays win derby

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Group 7, Statewide

Rewind: Last weekend’s Statewide Scoreboard and Group 7 wrap

Tallon Smith Before this weekend’s top grade action starts, let’s take a look back at last weekend’s statewide First Grade scoreboard! Last weekend’s Group 7 action saw Shellharbour Sharks 32 defeat Albion Park-Oak Flats 24 in a rematch of last season’s preliminary final. Centre Jayme McElhone led six tryscorers for the Sharks, who withstood the many charges of the Eagles for a hard-fought win. Defending … Continue reading Rewind: Last weekend’s Statewide Scoreboard and Group 7 wrap

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Group 9

Group 9: Temora dominate to claim cup while late magic sees Tumut home in rivalry round

Tallon Smith Rivalry round of the 2025 Great Northern Group 9 First Grade Premiership turned out to be a weekend of big results for many teams, with Temora leading the way after a 40-0 shut out of Junee in their Challenge Cup tie at Laurie Daley Oval on Sunday. The Dragons ran in a remarkable seven tries to nil to shock the Diesels on their … Continue reading Group 9: Temora dominate to claim cup while late magic sees Tumut home in rivalry round

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Group 20

Group 20 wrap: Magpies raise the bat in demolition of TLU while DPC fall for second straight week

Tallon Smith The Hay Magpies’ strong start to the 2025 season has continued with a dominant 50-14 victory over Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo at the Hay Park Oval Sunday afternoon. The Magpies ran in 11 tries to two against the Sharks with centre Anari Malanicagi leading the way with a hat trick, while Crighton brothers Jock and Hugh each managed to cross the line, with the latter … Continue reading Group 20 wrap: Magpies raise the bat in demolition of TLU while DPC fall for second straight week

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Group 7, Statewide

Statewide Wrap: Seven-way tie for lead in incredible start to Group 7 season

Tallon Smith The Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs have joined six teams in a tie for equal first in Group 7 First Grade after a hard-fought 14-6 home victory over Albion Park-Oak Flats on Saturday. After being held to nil in their last start against Stingrays, the Bulldogs gained their second victory of the year over the Eagles, following their round one win over Nowra-Bomaderry. Jamberoo continued their … Continue reading Statewide Wrap: Seven-way tie for lead in incredible start to Group 7 season

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Group 9

Group 9 Wrap: Roos rally in second half to tame Tigers, Diesels defend cup against Brothers

Tallon Smith The Wagga Kangaroos escaped from ANZAC Park with a come-from-behind 22-18 victory over the Gundagai Tigers in round two of Great Northern Group Nine First Grade action on Sunday afternoon. Gundagai started well, with Wilson Hamblin crossing in the 11th minute, before the Roos hit back via Ned Cooper to trail by two at 6-4.  Soon after, the Tigers re-established their six point … Continue reading Group 9 Wrap: Roos rally in second half to tame Tigers, Diesels defend cup against Brothers

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Goulburn Murray

Goulburn Murray: Greens crack the half-century as Bears, Cougars victorious in thrilling opening round

Tallon Smith Tumbarumba have opened their account in the 2025 Goulburn Murray Premiership after a dominant 52-4 demolition of the Wolfpack at Baranduda Reserve on Sunday. The Greens ran in 10 tries to one in an emphatic display of their power, as they look to build on a runner-up campaign last season. Hooker Ben Scott finished with a hat-trick and six goals in a best … Continue reading Goulburn Murray: Greens crack the half-century as Bears, Cougars victorious in thrilling opening round

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