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 19

Update: Group 19 Anzac Day to take place after 11th-hour backflip

By Tallon Smith An 11th-hour deal will see the traditional Group 19 Anzac Day fixture between the Inverell Hawks and Tingha Tigers go ahead after initially being cancelled yesterday. The match, which has been hosted by Inverell since 2015, was called off yesterday after a controversial change of venue to Tingha this year was made by the Group 19 Board. However, the match has now … Continue reading Update: Group 19 Anzac Day to take place after 11th-hour backflip

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Group 19

Group 19 Anzac Day match called off but confusion still reigns supreme

By Tallon Smith Update (Wednesday 5:32pm): An 11th-hour backflip will see the match proceed tomorrow. Details are here: Group 19 Anzac Day to take place after 11th-hour backflip Update (Wednesday 2:27pm): The Inverell Hawks have now expressed a desire to fulfil the fixture, however a decision is yet to be made by the Group 19 Board. It is unclear as to what will happen, and … Continue reading Group 19 Anzac Day match called off but confusion still reigns supreme

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Uncategorized

Group 20: Roosters crowing after Grand Final rematch win over Leeton

By Tallon Smith The Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters remain a perfect three from three to start the Group 20 season after a 36-18 win over the Leeton Greenies at Leeton No.1 Oval on Sunday afternoon. In the rematch of last year’s grand finalists, it was the runners-up who took the spoils, with a solid performance seeing them outlast the reigning premiers on their home ground. DPC … Continue reading Group 20: Roosters crowing after Grand Final rematch win over Leeton

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Eagles soar to new heights with big Reserve Grade win over Collie Dogs

By Tallon Smith The Berkeley Eagles are celebrating one of their biggest victories in years after defeating Collegians 30-4 in the opening round of the 2024 Illawarra Plate competition. The match was a significant one for the Eagles, who have returned to the Reserve Grade competition this season after falling from First Grade to Third Grade after the pandemic. Despite the adverse weather conditions, a … Continue reading Eagles soar to new heights with big Reserve Grade win over Collie Dogs

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Greenies gallop into 2024 with win over Waratahs

By Tallon Smith The Leeton Greenies have started their Group 20 title defence on the right foot after a 46-16 defeat of the Griffith Waratah Tigers at Leeton No.1 Oval on Saturday Night. After the Tigers burst out of the blocks early in the match, the Greenies regained control and never let it go, scoring nine tries to four in a dominant display. Leeton Co-Coach … Continue reading Greenies gallop into 2024 with win over Waratahs

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Group 20: West Wyalong winners while Waratahs complete remarkable return from recess 

By Tallon Smith The West Wyalong Mallee Men have opened their account for the 2024 Group 20 season with a 32-16 win over the returning Griffith Waratah Tigers at Ron Crowe Oval on Sunday afternoon. The Waratahs, who spent the 2023 season in recess, put in a strong showing in their first game back, but the Mallee Men’s synergy in attack and defence proved the … Continue reading Group 20: West Wyalong winners while Waratahs complete remarkable return from recess 

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Queensland

Bundaberg Rugby League draw released for 2024 season

By Tallon Smith Bundaberg Rugby League players and spectators are gearing up for a massive 2024 season after the competition draw was released last week. The same six clubs will contest the First and Reserve Grade competitions in 2024, with five clubs fielding Under 18s teams. The opening round sees defending premiers Brothers take on Hervey Bay, Easts tackle Wallaroos, and Waves take on Wests … Continue reading Bundaberg Rugby League draw released for 2024 season

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Group 19, Queensland

Four towns on the same highway without Senior Men’s teams in 2024

By Tallon Smith Country rugby league is again reeling after more clubs announced they will be sitting out the 2024 season this week. The latest losses have centred around the New England region, with the Tenterfield Tigers the latest club to announce their withdrawal after being unable to form competitive teams for the season. The club, which competes in the Border Rivers competition after leaving … Continue reading Four towns on the same highway without Senior Men’s teams in 2024

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League looking strong in Binalong after Jersey Girls win Monaro Knockout

By Tallon Smith The Binalong Jersey Girls have completed one of the more spectacular fairytale runs to win the Monaro Knockout in Batemans Bay after a 22-10 defeat of the Eden Tigers in the Cup Final on Saturday afternoon. The side won their opening match on Friday night 6-4 over Bega to progress through to Saturday’s Cup tournament, where they swept aside Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters … Continue reading League looking strong in Binalong after Jersey Girls win Monaro Knockout

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Things in motion for return of rugby league to Deniliquin

By Tallon Smith The push to get a rugby league club up and running again in Deniliquin is gathering momentum after a successful initial meeting. The event held at the Bowling Club in Deniliquin on March 10 recorded a higher than expected turnout of interested locals, and with increasing coverage in the local press and a growing online following, the team has now set their … Continue reading Things in motion for return of rugby league to Deniliquin

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