Skip to content

Battlers For Bush Footy

First for league in Southern NSW

  • Home
  • News
  • Scoreboard
  • Parra’s Piece
  • Battler of the Year
  • Subscriber Help
  • About Us
  • Contact

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.
Representative

Rebels reign again in dominant Country Championships victory over Central Coast

Cover Photo: Facebook Tallon Smith Newcastle has solidified its claim to being the best competition in the state after taking out a fourth consecutive Country Championships title with a 36-4 win over Central Coast at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Continue reading Rebels reign again in dominant Country Championships victory over Central Coast

Unknown's avatarTallon Smith28th Mar 2026
Group 7

Shellharbour Sharks start season strongly after new recruits impress in shootout victory

Tallon Smith The Shellharbour Sharks proved they will again be a force in Group 7 this season after several of the club’s new signings and returning stars impressed in the club’s pre-season matches. Continue reading Shellharbour Sharks start season strongly after new recruits impress in shootout victory

Unknown's avatarTallon Smith27th Mar 202630th Mar 2026
Group 7

“A freak thing”: NSWRL Legend Mick Cronin on what makes Gerringong rugby league’s most prolific talent factory

Tallon Smith These days, barely a round goes by in the National Rugby League without a television or radio commentator mentioning the small South Coast town of Gerringong. Continue reading “A freak thing”: NSWRL Legend Mick Cronin on what makes Gerringong rugby league’s most prolific talent factory

Unknown's avatarTallon Smith26th Mar 202626th Mar 20261 Comment
Group 7

Cooper looking forward to “different challenge” in first season with Berry-Shoalhaven Heads

Tallon Smith The Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies will have greater strike power out wide in 2026 after securing the services of Wagga Kangaroos centre Ned Cooper over the off-season. Continue reading Cooper looking forward to “different challenge” in first season with Berry-Shoalhaven Heads

Unknown's avatarTallon Smith25th Mar 2026
Group 7

Consistency the goal for Milton-Ulladulla in 2026 as young Bulldogs prepare to take centre stage

Tallon Smith Cover Photo: Game Face Photography The Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs are hoping for greater consistency heading into the new Group 7 season as they look to build on a strong finish to their 2025 campaign. Continue reading Consistency the goal for Milton-Ulladulla in 2026 as young Bulldogs prepare to take centre stage

Unknown's avatarTallon Smith24th Mar 2026
Group 7

Group 7 Transfer Tracker: James’ return a major boost for Nowra-Bomaderry ahead of 2026 campaign

Cover Photo: Game Face Photography Tallon Smith The Nowra-Bomaderry Jets have landed one of the biggest signing coups of the Group 7 off-season after welcoming home local junior Ryan James from the Shellharbour Sharks. Continue reading Group 7 Transfer Tracker: James’ return a major boost for Nowra-Bomaderry ahead of 2026 campaign

Unknown's avatarTallon Smith23rd Mar 2026
Group 7

Burke eyes top three finish after stepping up to first grade role with Warner in 2026

Tallon Smith New Shellharbour Stingrays coach Mathew Burke has set his sights on a top three finish and some better luck injury-wise as he prepares for his first season in charge of the club’s top grade side. Continue reading Burke eyes top three finish after stepping up to first grade role with Warner in 2026

Unknown's avatarTallon Smith20th Mar 202620th Mar 2026
Group 7

Hunter to the hunted: Kiama prepared for the challenge of defending Group 7 title

Tallon Smith Kiama Knights captain Tom Angel said his side knows they have gone from the hunter to the hunted in 2026 as the club prepares to defend its title and aim for back-to-back Group 7 premierships in 2026. Continue reading Hunter to the hunted: Kiama prepared for the challenge of defending Group 7 title

Unknown's avatarTallon Smith18th Mar 2026
Group 7

“Exciting”: Coach Brennan optimistic about Warilla’s return to first grade competition

Tallon Smith After sitting out last season, the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas are preparing for a triumphant return to the Group 7 First Grade competition in 2026. Continue reading “Exciting”: Coach Brennan optimistic about Warilla’s return to first grade competition

Unknown's avatarTallon Smith17th Mar 202617th Mar 2026
Group 7

Hutchison and Kennedy give Albion Park reason to dream of drought-breaking title in 2026

Tallon Smith With new recruits Drew Hutchison and Rhys Kennedy on the training paddock, the Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles are dreaming big heading into the 2026 season. Continue reading Hutchison and Kennedy give Albion Park reason to dream of drought-breaking title in 2026

Unknown's avatarTallon Smith16th Mar 202617th Mar 2026

Posts navigation

Older Posts
Newer posts
Follow Our Socials
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Threads
  • YouTube
Recent Posts
  • ‘Absolute privilege’: South Coast duo set to shine after selection in Lebanon side for World Cup opener
  • ‘It’s a pretty big privilege’: Sergi and Fattore to lead Darlington Point-Coleambally in 2027
  • EXCLUSIVE: Junee lands ‘massive coup’ with Kangaroos representative set to be unveiled as 2027 assistant coach
  • ‘Honour and privilege’: Dickinson to continue leading Leeton’s build in 2027
  • ‘Very grateful’: Best and fairest win in historic season caps unbelievable year for Hamblin

Battlers For Bush Footy acknowledges the traditional custodians of the various lands on which the game of Rugby League is played. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Website Powered by WordPress.com.

Loading Comments...