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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Canberra Region: Magpies off the bottom of the ladder after hard fought win over Bulls

By Tallon Smith The Yass Magpies have lifted themselves off the bottom of the Canberra Rugby League ladder with a 28-24 win over the Gungahlin Bulls at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval on Saturday. The win, which relegates Gungahlin to last place, was an amazing team effort, with five different try scorers crossing the line for the Magpies’ six tries, with the side’s 2 from 6 goal … Continue reading Canberra Region: Magpies off the bottom of the ladder after hard fought win over Bulls

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Group 9: Lightning strikes twice for Thunder as four point swing narrows gap on Bulls

By Tallon Smith It was billed as a must win game for the Albury Thunder against South City, and they did just that, defeating the Bulls 24-10 at Greenfield Park on Sunday afternoon. After earlier fears of inclement weather subsided, a good crowd were treated to some quality Group 9 football, as a double to Albury centre Jackins Olam and a perfect 4 from 4 … Continue reading Group 9: Lightning strikes twice for Thunder as four point swing narrows gap on Bulls

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Group 20: Perennial Bush Battlers Hay break 12-month winless drought against Griffith

Cover Photo Credit: The Riverine Grazier By Tallon Smith The Hay Magpies’ First Grade team joined Yanco-Wamoon’s Reserves in winning their first game of the season after a heartstopping 22-20 win over the Griffith Black and Whites at the Hay Park Oval on Saturday Night. The upset win saw the Magpies’ team song ring out in the changerooms for the first time since their 36-20 … Continue reading Group 20: Perennial Bush Battlers Hay break 12-month winless drought against Griffith

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Group 20: A Weekend for the Battlers as Yanco-Wamoon notch first victory in 13 months

By Tallon Smith There were emotional scenes at Yanco Sportsground on Sunday as the previously winless Yanco-Wamoon Hawks Reserve Grade side held on for a tense 16-12 win over West Wyalong. In front of an extremely vocal Ladies’ Day crowd, the Mallee Men struck first, before the Hawks hit back via their evergreen five-eighth Rodney Coelli and powerful centre Josh Daudravuni to take a 12-6 … Continue reading Group 20: A Weekend for the Battlers as Yanco-Wamoon notch first victory in 13 months

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Group 9 Wrap: Tigers triumph while Roos’ rebound continues

By Tallon Smith The Gundagai Tigers have bounced back from their Round 9 loss to South City to record a 28-16 win over the Albury Thunder at ANZAC Park on Saturday afternoon. In a match where fullback Tyron Gorman starred for the home side, the Tigers recovered from a six point halftime deficit to win the second half 18-0 and set up the victory. Tigers … Continue reading Group 9 Wrap: Tigers triumph while Roos’ rebound continues

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George Tooke Shield: Bulldogs go top of the table after tough win

By Tallon Smith The Cootamundra Bulldogs are sitting a game clear on top of the George Tooke Shield ladder after a heartstopping 24-22 win over the Crookwell Green Devils at Memorial Park on Saturday. After dominating the first half, the Bulldogs saw off a late challenge from the Green Devils in the second half to record an impressive away win that puts them in the … Continue reading George Tooke Shield: Bulldogs go top of the table after tough win

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Group 20 Wrap: Blueheelers pluck Magpies but Roosters maintain leadership

By Tallon Smith The Yenda Blueheelers have bounced back from their loss to the DPC Roosters with a dominant 50-6 victory over the Hay Magpies at Wade Park on Sunday afternoon. In a weekend with four First Grade games due to Yanco-Wamoon having the bye, the Blueheelers’ massive win was crucial for ensuring the team maintained second place and stayed within touching distance of first-placed … Continue reading Group 20 Wrap: Blueheelers pluck Magpies but Roosters maintain leadership

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Goulburn Murray Round 9 Wrap: Greens go nine in a row with big win over Bears

By Tallon Smith The Tumbarumba Greens have continued their incredible return from recess, extending their winning streak to nine games with a 68-0 win over the Border Bears at the Baranduda Recreation Reserve. Five-eighth Todd Bremner starred for the Greens, crossing for a hat-trick, while halfback Robbie Byatt continued to wind back the clock to his Group 9 days, breaking tackles, setting up tries with … Continue reading Goulburn Murray Round 9 Wrap: Greens go nine in a row with big win over Bears

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ProTen Cup: No need for panic as NSWRL, Competition Committee seek to accommodate all clubs

By Tallon Smith The bush footy rumour mill has entered overdrive this week after a series of rumours pertaining to the potential entrance of the newly re-formed Deniliquin RLFC into the ProTen Community Cup, and the implications this would have on the future of the Narrandera Lizards and the competition as a whole. The misunderstanding centres around a Facebook post which advertised the Deniliquin club’s … Continue reading ProTen Cup: No need for panic as NSWRL, Competition Committee seek to accommodate all clubs

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Group 9: Bulls building after winning streak extends to five games

By Tallon Smith They may have endured one of the toughest seasons in their 19-year history last year, but the South City Bulls have emerged as one of the teams to beat in the Group 9 competition in 2024. Through nine rounds of play, the Bulls sit in third place, going on a five game win streak after a draw with Young and two losses … Continue reading Group 9: Bulls building after winning streak extends to five games

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