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.
Uncategorized

New club joins GTS in place of departing Cootamundra

By Tallon Smith – originally for the Yass Valley Times A new rugby league club in the Monaro region town of Googong is firming to join the George Tooke Shield in 2025 in place of the departing Cootamundra Bulldogs. According to sources with knowledge of the recent CRRL meeting, the Googong Goannas have been provisionally accepted into the competition next season, bucking the trend of … Continue reading New club joins GTS in place of departing Cootamundra

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Group 9

‘Not a one for one swap’: Group Nine President on Under 16 Boys/Under 18s Girls changes

By Tallon Smith – originally for the Gundagai Times With Group Nine pre-season beginning for some eager sides in the coming weeks, the controversial changes to the competition’s lower grades are set in stone as clubs prepare for a very different match day in 2025.  The changes, which will see the Under 16s Sullivan Cup moved from the Senior League to the Juniors while an … Continue reading ‘Not a one for one swap’: Group Nine President on Under 16 Boys/Under 18s Girls changes

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Group 9, Uncategorized

New top Tiger Gorrell ‘looking forward’ to different challenge after coaching swap

By Tallon Smith – originally for the Gundagai Times The destination for outgoing Wagga Brothers mentor Aaron Gorrell has finally been revealed after he was unveiled as the new coach of the Gundagai Tigers for their 2025 Group 9 campaign. After announcing he would depart the Brothers at the end of the season, the position left vacant by Gorrell was filled by Gundagai stalwart Blake … Continue reading New top Tiger Gorrell ‘looking forward’ to different challenge after coaching swap

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Clayton Cup winners announced for 2024 despite controversy over tiebreaker

By Tallon Smith The most coveted accolade in country rugby league has been awarded for 2024 after the Camden Rams were confirmed as the winners of the Clayton Cup. The presentation after the Rams’ spectacular season marks the first time they have won the cup, which is awarded to the country rugby league side that is best performed within its own competition throughout the season. … Continue reading Clayton Cup winners announced for 2024 despite controversy over tiebreaker

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Mavericks set to return after four years on bush footy’s sidelines

By Tallon Smith (Cover Photo: Facebook) The Murrurundi Mavericks have unveiled their Senior Men’s coaches for 2025 on the same day they announced their plans to return to the Hunter Valley Group 21 competition next season. The Mavericks, who last competed in the Group 21 Reserve Grade competition in 2021, did not fielded teams in any grade in 2024. The club detailed the coaching appointments … Continue reading Mavericks set to return after four years on bush footy’s sidelines

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Narooma plotting return to top grade after securing former pro player as coach

By Tallon Smith The Narooma Devils have taken a major step towards returning to the Group 16 First Grade competition next season after securing the services of former French Elite 1 Championship player Kieran Wyld as coach. The Devils, who made the finals in 2023 before only being able to field an Under 18s side in 2024, are confident of returning to the premier grade … Continue reading Narooma plotting return to top grade after securing former pro player as coach

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Group 9, Uncategorized

Bulldogs bounce back: Cootamundra looking to return to Group 9 after five-year absence

By Tallon Smith One of Group 9’s most successful former clubs may be back on the paddock in 2025 after the Cootamundra Bulldogs signalled their intention to re-join the competition next year.  The club this morning announced that they have submitted an application to join the competition for next season, which will be heard at the competition’s AGM next month. Bulldogs President Stephen Howse confirmed … Continue reading Bulldogs bounce back: Cootamundra looking to return to Group 9 after five-year absence

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One more hurdle for Blueheelers as Deniliquin nears admission to Proten Cup

By Tallon Smith The Deniliquin Blue Heelers are all but set to enter the ProTen Community Cup next year after their proposed admission to the competition was unanimously approved by the competition committee at its AGM on Sunday. Existing clubs voted 5-0 in favour of the proposal, with the Narrandera club unable to vote due to their continuing director being an apology on the day. … Continue reading One more hurdle for Blueheelers as Deniliquin nears admission to Proten Cup

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The Off-Season Battler: October Update

By “The Battler” In between enjoying daylight savings and a few yarns at the pub, the Battler has been spending his off-season with his ear to the ground, listening for any rumblings from the Riverina and beyond. With signings and changes aplenty across the bush, here is a look at the top stories driving the bush footy rumour so far mill this month. Here is … Continue reading The Off-Season Battler: October Update

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Group 9, Uncategorized

Proposal: How to restart Rugby League in Aussie Rules’ Southern Riverina heartland

By Tallon Smith The Group 13 district was once a stronghold of Rugby League in the 20th century. Located to the south of Wagga Wagga, the competition ran from 1946 until 1991, with clubs from Albury, Holbrook, Culcairn, Henty, Lockhart, Tumbarumba, Batlow and many other towns. However, the competition declined significantly in its latter years, down to a low of just six clubs and two … Continue reading Proposal: How to restart Rugby League in Aussie Rules’ Southern Riverina heartland

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