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.
Uncategorized

Panorama Platypi put on perfect second half for third straight WWRL premiership

By Tallon Smith The Panorama Platypi put on a second half clinic against Orange Vipers to take out their third straight Western Women’s Rugby League title 38-16 at Jack Arrow Sporting Complex on Saturday November 25. After a fast start, the Platypi struggled to contain a resurgent Orange, who surged to a 12-10 half time lead, before the Bathurst-based side turned it all around in … Continue reading Panorama Platypi put on perfect second half for third straight WWRL premiership

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Uncategorized

Orara Valley and Bellingen-Dorrigo set to amalgamate to form new Group 2 outfit

By Tallon Smith After announcing a triumphant return to football just a matter of weeks ago, the Orara Valley Axemen have taken a different approach, announcing their intention to amalgamate with Bellingen-Dorrigo to form a more sustainable and competitive outfit in 2024 known as Combined Valleys. As both clubs have been in and out of the competition in recent seasons, the idea of fielding a … Continue reading Orara Valley and Bellingen-Dorrigo set to amalgamate to form new Group 2 outfit

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Uncategorized

Limestone Coast Rugby League enters recess after failed breakaway plot by Victorian clubs

By Tallon Smith In a major blow for rugby league in the region, the Limestone Coast Rugby League has entered recess for the 2023 season.  A cross-border venture between NRL Victoria and NRL South Australia, the competition featured clubs on both sides of the border, until a failed 11th hour breakaway by the Victorian clubs left the once thriving spring league in tatters. President of … Continue reading Limestone Coast Rugby League enters recess after failed breakaway plot by Victorian clubs

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Queensland

Rockhampton and Gladstone competitions set to merge for good

By Tallon Smith Rugby league in Central Queensland is set for another shake-up after calls have resurfaced to again merge the Rockhampton and Gladstone District senior competitions. The two competitions have combined many times in the past, with the most recent period being from 2018 until 2022 (only at A Grade level), before the competitions split at the start of this year. Tannum Sands player … Continue reading Rockhampton and Gladstone competitions set to merge for good

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Uncategorized

Mark Daly elected Group 9 President for 2024

By Tallon Smith The hunt for a successor to Andrew Hinchcliffe is over, with Mark Daly elected to the post of Group 9 President at the competition’s AGM in Wagga Wagga on Sunday. The change to the top job occurs at a critical time for the league, with two clubs looking to return to the competition after a difficult few years post-pandemic, and the lingering … Continue reading Mark Daly elected Group 9 President for 2024

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Uncategorized

“Doesn’t pass the pub test”: Club excluded from competition with no reasoning 

By Tallon Smith Rugby league fans around the Macarthur region are in shock after the South West Goannas club were expelled from the competition for next season by the NSWRL and some of the Group 6 clubs.  The start-up club, who competed in the Macarthur First Grade competition in 2023 and were undefeated premiers in the Gold Conference Competition in 2022, were voted out of … Continue reading “Doesn’t pass the pub test”: Club excluded from competition with no reasoning 

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Uncategorized

Coolamon Raiders to bring Junior Rugby League back to Canola Way

By Tallon Smith Rugby league will again be played on the Canola Way in 2024 after a proposal for the formation of the Coolamon Raiders Junior Rugby League Club was made last week. Situated half an hour’s drive north-west of Wagga Wagga, Coolamon first played rugby league in 1935 and formerly had a team in the Kennedy Shield competition (Wagga Second Division) in the 20th … Continue reading Coolamon Raiders to bring Junior Rugby League back to Canola Way

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Uncategorized

Club Spotlight: Return of the Axemen

By Tallon Smith Up in the Orara Valley surrounding the famous North Coast city of Coffs Harbour is the small town of Coramba. A lesser known location on the ‘Banana Coast,’ the village of just over 800 people is located 15 minutes from the city centre, and is home to the Orara Valley Axemen rugby league club. Famously supported by Hollywood A-Lister Russell Crowe, and … Continue reading Club Spotlight: Return of the Axemen

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment
Queensland

Regional areas snubbed again in NRL Pre-Season Challenge draw

By Tallon Smith So we’re here again. Deja vu. 12 months on since I wrote about the same thing, the NRL has decided again for 2024 that playing trial games in the country isn’t a priority for the code. Just eight of the sixteen NRL Pre-Season Challenge matches will be played in regional centres, and only two will be played in areas over two hours’ … Continue reading Regional areas snubbed again in NRL Pre-Season Challenge draw

Unknown's avatarTallon Smith2 Comments
Uncategorized

EXCLUSIVE: Wee Waa Panthers announce plans for stunning return to Group 4

By Tallon Smith After six years in the wilderness, the Wee Waa Panthers have announced plans to return to Group 4 Rugby League in 2024 in a stunning revival for the game in the area. Most famous for producing former Parramatta, St Helens and Manly centre Jamie Lyon, the Panthers last competed in the Group 4 competition in 2017. Club Secretary Hannah Hall said that … Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Wee Waa Panthers announce plans for stunning return to Group 4

Unknown's avatarTallon SmithLeave a comment