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, Illawarra

First-of-its-kind referee academy set to benefit emerging Illawarra and South Coast match officials

Tallon Smith Emerging rugby league match officials on the South Coast are set to benefit from a specialised development program after inaugural Illawarra South Coast Referee Academy was launched last week.  Supported by both the Group 7 and Illawarra competitions and their respective referee associations, the academy comprises 28 referees between the ages of 15 and 19, and eight referee coaches from across the region. … Continue reading First-of-its-kind referee academy set to benefit emerging Illawarra and South Coast match officials

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Canberra Region

Player transfer drama ignites calls for EGM amongst CRRL clubs after rule dispute leaves rep star in limbo

Tallon Smith The possibility of an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Canberra Region Rugby League (CRRL) is growing after a standoff between two clubs over the release of a player failed to be resolved after mediation talks last Wednesday night. Continue reading Player transfer drama ignites calls for EGM amongst CRRL clubs after rule dispute leaves rep star in limbo

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Group 9

Mistakes, bans, loss and triumph: Thunder enforcer Darby reflects on journey after five years on the Border

Tallon Smith Nathan Darby is the closest thing Albury’s current rugby league scene has to a cult hero. The English front rower has made his mark, both on the Border club and his opponents, carving out a reputation as one of Group 9’s toughest props. Now five years into his stint with the club, he can still recall the phone call he got from fellow … Continue reading Mistakes, bans, loss and triumph: Thunder enforcer Darby reflects on journey after five years on the Border

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Pre-Season

Orange CYMS take out West Wyalong Knockout with thrilling comeback win over Temora

Tallon Smith Orange CYMS has taken out its first West Wyalong Knockout title with a 12-6 win over the Temora Dragons in the final at Ron Crowe Oval on Saturday evening. CYMS had to fight back from a 6-0 half time deficit after Tyler Madden gave Temora an early advantage. However, the Orange outfit timed their second half run perfectly, with Dylan Kelly crossing for … Continue reading Orange CYMS take out West Wyalong Knockout with thrilling comeback win over Temora

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Queensland

‘Very exciting’: Rugby league set to return to South West Queensland via four-team competition

Tallon Smith After three seasons of inactivity, rugby league is set to spring back to life in Western Queensland after the return of the Western Rugby League was confirmed recently. A push to re-establish the Thargomindah Bulls after 24 years in recess, followed by the return of the Cunnamulla Rams and Charleville Comets, who will field two sides, has led to a rugby league renaissance … Continue reading ‘Very exciting’: Rugby league set to return to South West Queensland via four-team competition

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