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.
Group 17

Not the win they wanted, but Deniliquin still break 48-year drought against Ivanhoe

Tallon Smith It may not have been the win that they craved, but the Deniliquin Blueheelers still broke a 48-year drought in their clash with Ivanhoe on Saturday when they scored their first try at home since 1977. Despite the ladder-leading Roosters racing out to a massive lead on their way to a 50-4 win, the moment of magic when Trevor Morgan crashed over saw … Continue reading Not the win they wanted, but Deniliquin still break 48-year drought against Ivanhoe

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Canberra Region

Goannas have their day in the sun as Googong record first win in George Tooke Shield

Tallon Smith After enduring a tough run of eight losses to open their inaugural season, the Googong Goannas broke through for their first win in the George Tooke Shield men’s competition with a 32-4 victory over the UC Stars on Saturday. After being competitive in many games throughout the first half of the year, the Goannas ran in six tries to one, led by a … Continue reading Goannas have their day in the sun as Googong record first win in George Tooke Shield

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Group 9

Group 9: Cherrypickers looking to maintain momentum from Brothers win in cup clash with Albury

Tallon Smith, Peter “Parra” Montgomery Despite a mounting injury toll reaching 15 players, the Young Cherrypickers are looking to capitalise on the momentum from their bounce-back win over Brothers in their must-win clash with Albury on Sunday. Young’s attacking power was on full display last Sunday at Alfred Oval, where the Cherrypickers ran in fifteen tries in an 86-6 demolition of winless Wagga Brothers for … Continue reading Group 9: Cherrypickers looking to maintain momentum from Brothers win in cup clash with Albury

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Group 7

NAIDOC Round set to take centre stage on massive weekend of Group 7 action

Photo: Game Face Photography Tallon Smith A celebration of culture is set to take centre stage across Group 7 this weekend after the competition’s annual NAIDOC Round was launched yesterday. Each of the competition’s clubs across the First, Reserve and Regan Cup competitions will don specially designed jerseys featuring Indigenou artwork, some of which were created by players themselves. Speaking to WIN News Illawarra, Group … Continue reading NAIDOC Round set to take centre stage on massive weekend of Group 7 action

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Newcastle Division

Newcastle: Rosellas searching for consistency as Denton Cup title tilt looms

Tallon Smith After a strong start to the Newcastle Rugby League season, the Western Suburbs Rosellas will begin a gruelling seven-week run home beginning with a massive clash against Cessnock on Saturday. Since their bye in round five, the Rosellas have suffered from some patchy form, taking three wins against Centrals, Kurri Kurri and Souths, while falling to Macquarie, The Entrance and Wyong, to find … Continue reading Newcastle: Rosellas searching for consistency as Denton Cup title tilt looms

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Group 20, Group 9

BREAKING: Kelly Cup set for remarkable ‘resurrection’ after two years in the wilderness

Tallon Smith After being left off the calendar and all but forgotten, the Kelly Cup may yet have a stunning resurrection after Group 20 confirmed it is in discussions with Group 9 about the return of the event later this year. The surprise media release posted to the Group 20 Facebook page on Wednesday night comes just nine months after Battlers For Bush Footy amplified … Continue reading BREAKING: Kelly Cup set for remarkable ‘resurrection’ after two years in the wilderness

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Group 20

Talking Twenty: Waratahs keep on rolling, special moment for Black and Whites

Tallon Smith – Back from Perth The Griffith Waratah Tigers extended their unbeaten start past the halfway mark of the Group 20 First Grade season after a 46-30 win over the Yanco-Wamoon Hawks at the Yanco Sportsground on Sunday. A second-half double to James Girdler and a seven-from-eight kicking performance from the ever-reliable Ulu Akolo gave the Tigers their ninth win of the year to … Continue reading Talking Twenty: Waratahs keep on rolling, special moment for Black and Whites

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Riverina

Riverina Wrap Around: Griffith Waratahs, Wagga Roos remain undefeated; Gundagai into second

Tallon Smith – reporting from Perth The Gundagai Tigers have moved into second place on the 2025 Great Northern Group 9 First Grade ladder with a 20-18 home win over the Junee Diesels at Laurie Daley Oval on Saturday. A double to Will Herring led the Tigers to the narrow victory, which sees them sitting in second place behind the unbeaten Kangaroos after nine rounds … Continue reading Riverina Wrap Around: Griffith Waratahs, Wagga Roos remain undefeated; Gundagai into second

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Group 20

Talking Twenty: Black and Whites take valuable two points from trip to West Wyalong

Tallon Smith The Griffith Black and Whites have maintained touch with the Group 20 top five after a 32-12 win over a spirited West Wyalong outfit on Sunday. Down to 11 men at various points in the match due to a lack of numbers, the Mallee Men dug deep to keep themselves in the game for the majority of the contest before the Griffith side … Continue reading Talking Twenty: Black and Whites take valuable two points from trip to West Wyalong

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Statewide

STATEWIDE WRAP: Wellington shock defending premiers Mudgee, footy returns to Group 3 after floods

Tallon Smith The Wellington Cowboys have cemented their status as contenders in the Peter McDonald Premiership with a 28-22 win over the Mudgee Dragons at Kennard Park on Sunday afternoon. Tries to Nathaniel Robinson, Justin Toomey-White, Jacob Wilson, Tyrone Tattersall and a 12-point haul to Blake Ferguson comprising a try and four conversions was enough to propel the Cowboys to a victory over the defending … Continue reading STATEWIDE WRAP: Wellington shock defending premiers Mudgee, footy returns to Group 3 after floods

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