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 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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Group 20

Group 20: Strong second half propels Magpies to rare away victory over Hawks

Tallon Smith The Hay Magpies produced the second major upset of the weekend in Group 20 after a 26-12 win over the Yanco-Wamoon Hawks at the Yanco Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon. The Magpies’ first victory of the season on the road came just a day after the Griffith Black and Whites shocked defending premiers DPC Roosters 40-16 in the Grand Final rematch at Coleambally. … Continue reading Group 20: Strong second half propels Magpies to rare away victory over Hawks

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Peter McDonald Premiership

PMP Round 1: Workies fall to Hawks in home opener, as St Pats, Dubbo CYMS win local derbies

John Fitzgerald, Tallon Smith The Lithgow Workies Wolves have opened their season with a 26-10 loss at home to Orange Hawks in round 1 of the Peter McDonald Premiership. The Hawks led 22-0 at halftime and looked like they would add a lot more numbers in the second half after scoring soon after the resumption for a 26-0 scoreline. Following this early unconverted try Workies … Continue reading PMP Round 1: Workies fall to Hawks in home opener, as St Pats, Dubbo CYMS win local derbies

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Group 20

Group 20 Wrap: O’Keeffe praises “underdog” Black and Whites after shock Grand Final rematch victory

Tallon Smith Griffith Black and Whites President Craig O’Keeffe has praised his first grade side after they secured a huge upset win upset over defending premiers Darlington Point-Coleambally 40-16 in the Grand Final rematch at Coleambally on Saturday afternoon. After both sides traded tries early in the match, the Roosters opened up a 10-4 lead after Guy Thompson crashed over.  However, the Black and Whites … Continue reading Group 20 Wrap: O’Keeffe praises “underdog” Black and Whites after shock Grand Final rematch victory

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Group 20

Live update: Griffith Black and Whites cause huge boilover in Grand Final rematch at Coleambally

Tallon Smith The Griffith Black and Whites have pulled off a monumental upset, downing defending premiers Darlington Point-Coleambally 40-16 in the Grand Final rematch at Coleambally on Saturday afternoon. After both sides traded tries early in the match, the Roosters opened up a 10-4 lead after Guy Thompson crashed over.  However, the Black and Whites didn’t go away, with Paula Naidike completing a first half … Continue reading Live update: Griffith Black and Whites cause huge boilover in Grand Final rematch at Coleambally

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