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.
Pre-Season

“Full steam ahead”: Draw released for West Wyalong Knockout after uncertain few weeks

Tallon Smith West Wyalong President Matt Goodwin has declared it is “full steam ahead” for the 52nd edition of the West Wyalong Knockout after a 15-team draw was released for the event later this month. In an article in Wagga Wagga’s Daily Advertiser on Wednesday, Goodwin declared that the event would proceed despite a late change to the draw after an uncertain past couple of … Continue reading “Full steam ahead”: Draw released for West Wyalong Knockout after uncertain few weeks

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Group 6

EXCLUSIVE: Former NRL star joins South West Goannas for 2025 campaign

Tallon Smith The South West Goannas have made yet another impressive coup after securing the services of former NRL and English Championship star Joey Leilua for the 2025 season. The third big name player signed by the Macarthur League club for the upcoming campaign, Leilua joins former Roosters teammate Brad Takairangi and New Zealand international Greg Eastwood who have both re-committed to the club for … Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Former NRL star joins South West Goannas for 2025 campaign

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Goulburn Murray, Victoria

Cross-border rivalries ready for renewal as 2025 Goulburn Murray Premiership draw released

Tallon Smith The 2025 Goulburn Murray Premiership season will begin the weekend after Anzac Day after NRL Victoria decided not to schedule any matches prior to a late Easter this year. The competition draw, released on Thursday, features a bumper opening round on April 27, with Wolfpack to face last year’s runners-up Tumbarumba before a Wodonga derby between the Wombats and Border Bears at Baranduda, … Continue reading Cross-border rivalries ready for renewal as 2025 Goulburn Murray Premiership draw released

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Group 4

Magic Round and Ladies Tackle expansion: Key talking points from Group 4 draw

Tallon Smith The 2025 Group 4 Rugby league season will begin with a soft launch on the first weekend of April as lower grade teams open the campaign without their first grade counterparts to accommodate the competition’s re-modelled Magic Round concept in May. The four fixtures played on Saturday, April 5 will feature reserve grade, women’s and under 18s matches, with the first grade matchups … Continue reading Magic Round and Ladies Tackle expansion: Key talking points from Group 4 draw

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Group 14, Uncategorized

More teams and an expanded finals series highlight 2025 Castlereagh League draw

Tallon Smith The Castlereagh Rugby League will be contested by 10 teams this year after the return of Warren and Dunedoo to the First Grade competition was confirmed in the release of the league’s 2025 draw today. The opening round is highlighted by the Warren Bulldogs welcoming last season’s runners-up Cobar to Victoria Park, as they mark their return to the competition following a seven-year … Continue reading More teams and an expanded finals series highlight 2025 Castlereagh League draw

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Northern Rivers

14 teams ready for battle as NRRRL draw released for 2025 season

Tallon Smith Rugby league players and supporters across the Northern Rivers region are looking towards the upcoming campaign after the release of the 2025 NRRRL draw yesterday. A whopping 14 clubs are set to contest the 2025 season across five grades; First Grade, Reserve Grade, Ladies’ Tackle, Ladies’ League Tag, and Under 18s. The opening round is headlined by a clash between defending premiers Ballina … Continue reading 14 teams ready for battle as NRRRL draw released for 2025 season

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Uncategorized

Big boost for Central Coast club after local junior Maloney signs to continue rebuild

Tallon Smith Newly promoted Central Coast Rugby League First Grade side Ourimbah Magpies have received a significant boost ahead of the 2025 campaign after announcing the signing of local junior and former Origin half James Maloney. After spending the past four years in Reserve Grade, the Magpies has been planning a triumphant return to the Central Coast’s top competition in 2025, with the acquisition of … Continue reading Big boost for Central Coast club after local junior Maloney signs to continue rebuild

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Group 9

Group 9 release draw for highly anticipated 2025 season

Tallon Smith Rugby league players fans across the Riverina are rejoicing and marking their calendars after Group Nine released its 2025 competition draw this morning. The fixture, which is the largest since 2019, features 10 teams following the return of Cootamundra after a six year absence, and 16 matches for all clubs across 16 rounds. Round 1 begins with a bang, with a three game … Continue reading Group 9 release draw for highly anticipated 2025 season

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Uncategorized

New side enters Group 3 a week after Hastings League redistribution

Tallon Smith A week after one of the biggest changes to the structure of rugby league on the North Coast, Group 3 has seen a change to its line-up ahead of the 2025 season. Hastings League side Lake Cathie-Bonny Hills have announced they will enter Under 18s and Women’s League Tag sides into the Group competition in 2025, in a move to further strengthen the … Continue reading New side enters Group 3 a week after Hastings League redistribution

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