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.
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Canberra Raiders Cup: Yass secure upset win in freezing showdown with Warriors

Cover Photo: Yass Magpies Facebook By Tallon Smith The Yass Magpies have pulled off a massive upset in the Canberra Raiders Cup First Grade competition, defeating the West Belconnen Warriors 14-8 at Walker Park on Saturday afternoon. In a dour affair in extremely cold and unpleasant conditions, the Magpies crossed the line for three tries, one each to Ranapiri Baker, Ben Davis and Lane Davis, … Continue reading Canberra Raiders Cup: Yass secure upset win in freezing showdown with Warriors

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Group 20 Wrap: Waratahs’ winning ways continue against injury-hit Sharks, big wins to Greenies and Panthers

By Tallon Smith The Griffith Waratah Tigers have continued their incredible run of form in their return year in Group 20 Rugby League, scoring a 52-10 win over Tullibigeal-Lakes United at the Exies Oval on Sunday. After two losses to open their campaign, the Waratahs have won eight of their last ten games starting with April 27’s victory against DPC, with only a draw against … Continue reading Group 20 Wrap: Waratahs’ winning ways continue against injury-hit Sharks, big wins to Greenies and Panthers

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PMP: Panthers power past Pats to secure Bathurst Derby victory

Cover Photo: Rodders Photos By Tallon Smith Bathurst Panthers have taken out the year’s second cross-town derby with a 22-8 win over Bathurst St Pats in Peter McDonald Premiership action at Jack Arrow Sporting Complex on Saturday. After a tough first half where both teams battled for ascendency, the Panthers built on their narrow 6-4 half time lead to kick clear of their rivals and … Continue reading PMP: Panthers power past Pats to secure Bathurst Derby victory

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Proten Cup: Dragons defy halftime deficit to shock Lizards in epic finale, Rams win again

By Tallon Smith & Jamie Parsons The Rankins Springs Dragons are the 2024 ProTen Community Cup premiers after a come from behind 20-18 victory over Narrandera at Narrandera Sportsground in the Grand Final on Saturday afternoon. The Dragons, who proudly proclaim their status as the ‘smallest town in NSW with a rugby league club’, chased down an 18-4 halftime deficit to win their third premiership … Continue reading Proten Cup: Dragons defy halftime deficit to shock Lizards in epic finale, Rams win again

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Group 16: Tigers trounce Bears in top of the table showdown

Cover Photo: Eden Tigers RLFC By Tallon Smith The Eden Tigers have made a massive statement in the 2024 Group 16 Premiership, defeating the Snowy River Bears 52-10 in a top of the table showdown at George Brown Oval on Sunday. Led by four tries to centre Rhyse Grewar, the Tigers dominated the match from the get go, racing in nine four-pointers to two in … Continue reading Group 16: Tigers trounce Bears in top of the table showdown

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Most remote league in NSW the first to crown its premiers for 2024

By Tallon Smith The Wilcannia Boomerangs are the first team in NSW to be crowned premiers of their local competition for 2024 after defeating the Silver City Scorpions 40-16 in the Grand Final of the Outback Rugby League on Saturday. The win over the Broken Hill-based outfit is the Boomerangs’ second consecutive title, giving the club nine premierships in their history, and their first back-to-back … Continue reading Most remote league in NSW the first to crown its premiers for 2024

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Group 20: Blueheelers celebrate centenary with victory over local rivals

By Tallon Smith The Yenda Blueheelers celebrated their centenary in style with a hard fought 34-24 win over the Griffith Black and Whites at Wade Park on Saturday afternoon. The win capped off a full day of festivities to mark the occasion, with club supporters and past players turning out in droves to see the victory, which was followed by a dinner at the Yoogali … Continue reading Group 20: Blueheelers celebrate centenary with victory over local rivals

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Group 9: Diesels overpower Blues to join Young, Temora and Albury as Round 13 victors

By Tallon Smith The last-placed Junee Diesels have shocked the entire Group 9 competition with a 54-12 demolition of defending premiers Tumut at Laurie Daley Oval on Saturday. The Diesels ran in a remarkable 11 tries in the 42-point thrashing to move off the bottom of the Group 9 ladder as they look to avoid a second successive wooden spoon. Diesels President David Holt said … Continue reading Group 9: Diesels overpower Blues to join Young, Temora and Albury as Round 13 victors

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Two Riverina clubs celebrate 100 years of football

By Tallon Smith In a unique occasion for rugby league in the Riverina, the Yenda Blueheelers and Narrandera Lizards will each celebrate a century of rugby league on consecutive weekends. The Yenda club, founded in 1924 and originally known as the “Blues”, have competed in Group 20 since the competition’s inaugural season of 1954, winning seven titles in that time, in 1982, 2001, 2002, 2003, … Continue reading Two Riverina clubs celebrate 100 years of football

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Major changes to Group 9 match days to accommodate booming female game

By Tallon Smith Group 9 has made one of the biggest and boldest decisions in Riverina rugby league in many years, opting to change the senior match day program to add two new grades for the growing female game from next season. The move, which is the first change to the competition’s grades since the inauguration of League Tag in 2008, will see the introduction … Continue reading Major changes to Group 9 match days to accommodate booming female game

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