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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George Tooke: Bulldogs beat Boorowa as top five begins to take shape

Cover Photo: Cootamundra Bulldogs Facebook By Tallon Smith The Cootamundra Bulldogs have held onto a top three position in the George Tooke Shield for another week after a 38-12 victory over the Boorowa Rovers at the Boorowa Showground on Saturday. The Bulldogs’ victory, coupled with Harden losing to Binalong, sees the Cootamundra club remain in third position with one round left to play, with the … Continue reading George Tooke: Bulldogs beat Boorowa as top five begins to take shape

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Barwon Darling: Bourke and Brewarrina set for Grand Final on Sunday

By Tallon Smith The premier team in the Barwon Darling Rugby League for season 2024 will be crowned when the Bourke Warriors and Brewarrina Golden Googars meet in the Grand Final in Walgett on Sunday. The Warriors, who have been runners-up in the past two seasons to Goodooga, enter the match as favourites after taking home the competition’s Minor Premiership and having the week off … Continue reading Barwon Darling: Bourke and Brewarrina set for Grand Final on Sunday

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Group 20: Leeton, Yenda, DPC winners in Round 16

By Tallon Smith The Leeton Greenies have moved up to fourth place on the Group 20 ladder after a 30-18 win over the Griffith Black and Whites at Leeton No.1 Oval on Sunday. The four point swing from the win sees the Greenies leapfrog the Black and Whites in their battle to host the Elimination Final in three weekends’ time. Centre Billy Dickinson opened the … Continue reading Group 20: Leeton, Yenda, DPC winners in Round 16

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Magpies looking for new leader at nest as Coach Kyle to step down at year’s end

By Tallon Smith After two years at the helm of the Yass Magpies, First Grade/Club Coach Adam Kyle will step down from the role at the conclusion of the 2024 season. The announcement, which came as a shock to many, has triggered the beginning of a process to find a replacement for a job that Kyle has filled so admirably over the past two seasons. … Continue reading Magpies looking for new leader at nest as Coach Kyle to step down at year’s end

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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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