Author: Tallon Smith

Hi, 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. Fast forward three years to the age of 17, and that project morphed into Battlers For Bush Footy, a project which I have been devoted to ever since. A keen observer of most sports, rugby league is my first true love, and the game I spend almost all of my winter months immersed in, producing content for Battlers For Bush Footy. I am also a keen follower of cricket, which I tend to cover in the summer months when rugby league is in its off-season. In addition to this, I am familiar with and have the capacity to cover various other sports such as basketball, Australian rules football, tennis, rugby union, soccer and motorsport. My work has been published in many mastheads including the Riverine Grazier, The Irrigator, The Area News, Gundagai Times, Yass Valley Times, Cootamundra Times, Boorowa Times, Twin Town Times, Young News, Junee Independent, Deniliquin Pastoral Times and West Wyalong Advocate. I'm still learning the ropes as a student of the craft, with the hope of one day turning my passion into a career. Visit my website for more info: https://tallonasmith.wordpress.com/
Representative

Mixed start for Riverina as three regions record perfect opening to regional junior representative season

Tallon Smith Three regions have had a perfect start to their NSWRL regional junior representative campaigns after the first match day on Saturday. The Macarthur Wests Tigers, Newcastle Maitland Region Knights and Central Coast Roosters each won both their Laurie Daley Cup (under 18s) and Andrew Johns Cup (under 16s) matches. The Tigers defeated the North Coast Bulldogs 30-12 in the Daley Cup and 40-22 … Continue reading Mixed start for Riverina as three regions record perfect opening to regional junior representative season

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Group 9

South City and Gundagai players dominate Group 9 Kelly Cup team

Tallon Smith Group 9 Rugby League has unveiled its first Gladiators team in three years ahead of next month’s Kelly Cup clash with Group 20 at Yenda’s Wade Park. The 18-man squad, released via the Group’s social media channels late last night, features players from seven of the region’s 10 clubs, selected for the grudge match with the Razorbacks on February 14. The off-season’s big … Continue reading South City and Gundagai players dominate Group 9 Kelly Cup team

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Group 10, Peter McDonald Premiership

Former NRL player joins Bathurst Panthers as club continues recruitment drive

Tallon Smith Bathurst Panthers’ ambitions to climb up the Peter McDonald Premiership table in 2026 have received a boost after the club confirmed the signing of former NRL player Richie Kennar. A veteran of 50 top flight appearances across a ten season career at Melbourne, Souths and Brisbane, Kennar joins the Panthers as the big name amongst a number of off-season signings. Panthers first grade … Continue reading Former NRL player joins Bathurst Panthers as club continues recruitment drive

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Group 11, Peter McDonald Premiership

Dubbo CYMS star re-commits to Fishies for upcoming PMP title defence

Tallon Smith Dubbo CYMS has secured another key member of its first grade side ahead of its Peter McDonald Premiership title defence after star fullback Jeremy Thurston committed to the club for the 2026 season. After famously kicking the field goal that secured the Fishies the premiership in an extra-time thriller against Forbes last year, Thurston fielded offers from a number of interested clubs, both … Continue reading Dubbo CYMS star re-commits to Fishies for upcoming PMP title defence

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