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.
Canberra Region

New club set to debut as George Tooke Shield season kicks off

Presented by: Tallon Smith The Googong Goannas will make their competitive debut as round one of the 2025 George Tooke Shield competition kicks off this Saturday in the Eastern Riverina and Capital Country. The Goannas will host the North Canberra Bears as part of a four-game slate to kick off the season for the CRRL’s second division competition. Meanwhile, Nick Hall’s Harden Hawks will face … Continue reading New club set to debut as George Tooke Shield season kicks off

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Riverina

Independent Farrer Candidate Milthorpe a longtime Battler For Bush Footy

Tallon Smith Not just a prospective voice for Farrer, Michelle Milthorpe has been a Battler For Bush Footy for a long time. Contesting one of the most footy-mad seats in the state, the Independent candidate for Farrer is seeking to represent an area that includes towns in the Group 20, Group 9, Proten Community Cup and Goulburn Murray competitions. In an interview with Battlers For … Continue reading Independent Farrer Candidate Milthorpe a longtime Battler For Bush Footy

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Statewide

NSW Statewide Scoreboard: April 12/13

Region 1: East Coast Northern Rivers (Group 1/18) Bilambil 24 defeated Evans Head 12 Lismore Marist 26 defeated Ballina 20 Tweed Coast 24 defeated Tweed Heads 18 Cudgen 44 defeated Lower Clarence 22 Other games unavailable Group 2 Yet to start Group 3 Port Macquarie 34 defeated Port City 6 Macleay Valley 34 defeated Taree City 32 Other scores unavailable Region 2: Greater Northern Group … Continue reading NSW Statewide Scoreboard: April 12/13

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Group 20

Group 20 Wrap: Greenies secure last gasp victory over Yenda, Yanco impress

Full, expanded column available in tomorrow’s Hillston Spectator Tallon Smith Leeton escaped from Yenda’s Wade Park with an unlikely two competition points after a heartstopping 33-32 win over the Blueheelers on Sunday courtesy of a last gasp Shanon Bradbrook field goal. Down 28-0 at half time, Leeton mounted a comeback for the ages to level the game at 32-all in the dying stages. Enter the … Continue reading Group 20 Wrap: Greenies secure last gasp victory over Yenda, Yanco impress

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Group 9

Diesels utilise points start to claim cup as Bulls take premiership points

Tallon Smith The Junee Diesels have become the first team to take advantage of the new Group 9 Challenge Cup points start system in the opening round, utilising their +10.5 start in a 28-24 loss to South City at Harris Park. In a fast-paced affair, the Bulls secured the all-important two competition points with the narrow four point victory, but it was the Diesels who … Continue reading Diesels utilise points start to claim cup as Bulls take premiership points

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Group 20

Let the games begin: Group 20 Round 1 preview

Expanded preview available in this week’s West Wyalong Advocate Tallon Smith The 2025 Group 20 season is upon us, and teams are preparing for the first round of games across the district this Sunday afternoon. With a player movement frenzy around the group occurring over the off-season, teams are trying to fit new pieces into their puzzles in the hope of securing a top five … Continue reading Let the games begin: Group 20 Round 1 preview

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Group 9

New faces and old warriors: Group Nine Round 1 team lists

Tallon Smith With round one rapidly approaching, there is plenty of intrigue as always as to how each team will line up for the first games of the year. Eight of the competition’s ten teams have released their team lists for this weekend’s games, with some new faces, as well as some other, more established competitors in the mix. Without further ado, here are the … Continue reading New faces and old warriors: Group Nine Round 1 team lists

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Group 16

Anzac Day match set to open shortened 2025 Group 16 season after draw revealed

Tallon Smith Cooma and Bombala will open the 2025 Group 16 season with an Anzac Day clash after the competition’s draw was revealed last week. Eden will play Bega on the Saturday, while Moruya will face Tathra and Narooma tackle Merimbula-Pambula to round out the opening round on Sunday April 27. Narooma will have two home games to open their return campaign in the competition, … Continue reading Anzac Day match set to open shortened 2025 Group 16 season after draw revealed

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Group 9

Daley, Trodden in attendance as Group Nine launches bigger, bolder 2025 season

Tallon Smith The 2025 Group Nine season is officially underway after club volunteers, players and distinguished guests gathered at the Group 9 season launch at Geohex Park in Wagga Wagga on Sunday afternoon. Keynote speakers and guests included NSW Blues Coach Laurie Daley, NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden and Federal Member for Riverina The Hon. Michael McCormack MP. Group Nine Board Member and MC Peter Hurst … Continue reading Daley, Trodden in attendance as Group Nine launches bigger, bolder 2025 season

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Central Coast

Surprise, miracle return as Storm end painstaking seven-year absence from senior footy

Tallon Smith After a painstaking seven years on the sidelines, the Gosford Kariong Storm is set to make an astonishing return to the field in the Central Coast Rugby League senior competition this year. Having last fielded a senior team in 2018 in the Third Grade competition, the Storm have been included in the CCRL Open Age draw this year, as a lower grade-only club … Continue reading Surprise, miracle return as Storm end painstaking seven-year absence from senior footy

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