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 19

Group 19 Finals: Narwan seal Grand Final spot against Guyra

By Tallon Smith The Narwan Eels have secured a spot in the Group 19 Grand Final for the second year running after a 26-22 win over the Minor Premiers Guyra Super Spuds at the Guyra Sporting Complex on Sunday. After being runaway competition leaders and dropping just two games across the regular season, Guyra met their match in the Major Semi Final, with the defending … Continue reading Group 19 Finals: Narwan seal Grand Final spot against Guyra

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Peter McDonald Premiership: Group 10 and 11 Premiers decided

By Tallon Smith The Mudgee Dragons and Dubbo CYMS have been awarded the Group 10 and 11 First Grade Premierships after finishing on top of their respective competition tables ahead of the combined Peter McDonald Premiership Finals Series set to begin next weekend. Finishing with identical 11-3 records, the two sides each played ten matches within their Groups (playing the other 5 sides home and … Continue reading Peter McDonald Premiership: Group 10 and 11 Premiers decided

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Group 20 Wrap: Yenda win high-scoring affair against Yanco-Wamoon

By Tallon Smith The Yenda Blueheelers have moved one step closer to the all-important fifth position on the Group 20 competition ladder with a 44-40 win over the Yanco-Wamoon Hawks at the JDP Logistics Yanco Sportsground on Sunday afternoon. With a host of stars returning for the Hawks, including star hooker Elwyn Ravu, the Yanco side were far more competitive than recent weeks, forcing the … Continue reading Group 20 Wrap: Yenda win high-scoring affair against Yanco-Wamoon

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Illawarra Rugby League: Collegians sew up second place with win over Wests

By Tallon Smith Collegians have secured second spot on the Illawarra Rugby League ladder with a comprehensive 28-14 win over the Western Suburbs Red Devils at Collegians Sports Complex on Saturday. The Collie Dogs’ victory sets up a highly anticipated clash with Minor Premiers De La Salle Caringbah in the Major Semi Final, with the winner going through to the Grand Final at WIN Stadium … Continue reading Illawarra Rugby League: Collegians sew up second place with win over Wests

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Country Scoreboard: August 12/13

Statewide First Grade/Senior Men’s Scoreboard Updated: Weekend of 12/13 August 2023 For the live scores, draws, ladders and lower grades, check out the link below to the official NRL community draw and results website, Play Rugby League. Canberra Goulburn City 54 defeated Queanbeyan Blues 6 Queanbeyan Kangaroos 58 defeated Gungahlin 14 Belconnen United 20 defeated Woden Valley 14 West Belconnen 35 defeated Yass 18 Tuggeranong … Continue reading Country Scoreboard: August 12/13

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Club Spotlight: The Rise of the Mud Dogs 

By Tallon Smith Down on the Murray in Albury, the sporting landscape is much different to the rest of the state. Despite being in New South Wales, the town is more culturally aligned with Victoria, and this shows in the football code which dominates the town. However, despite the slight favouritism towards the Victorian game, and the domination of the Albury Thunder as the city’s … Continue reading Club Spotlight: The Rise of the Mud Dogs 

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Wilcannia Boomerangs win enthralling Outback Rugby League decider against Menindee

By Tallon Smith The Wilcannia Boomerangs are the Outback Rugby League Premiers for 2023 after defeating the Menindee Yabbies 23-22 in the Grand Final at Memorial Oval in Broken Hill on Saturday.  After a year in recess in 2022 due to the withdrawal of two sides, ironically this year’s Grand Final combatants, the competition could not have asked for a more captivating Grand Final. Reg … Continue reading Wilcannia Boomerangs win enthralling Outback Rugby League decider against Menindee

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Group 16 Finals: Narooma survive elimination with one-point victory over Snowy River Bears

By Tallon Smith The Narooma Devils will live to fight another day after they sensationally defeated the Snowy River Bears 39-38 in the Group 16 Elimination Final at JJ Connors Oval in Jindabyne on Sunday. After scraping into the finals on points differential over the Cooma Stallions for fifth spot, the Devils made the most of their lucky break, ending what was a promising season … Continue reading Group 16 Finals: Narooma survive elimination with one-point victory over Snowy River Bears

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Queensland

Rockhampton League: Yeppoon steal tense Grand Final win in ‘Battle of the Beaches’ against Emu Park

By Tallon Smith The Yeppoon Seagulls have won one of the more remarkable Rockhampton District Rugby League Grand Finals by defeating Emu Park 32-29 in extra time at Browne Park on Sunday afternoon. The win, which is Yeppoon’s fourth premiership in a row, saw the Seagulls come from 18-0 down to lead 28-18 in the second half, before Emu Park struck back with two tries … Continue reading Rockhampton League: Yeppoon steal tense Grand Final win in ‘Battle of the Beaches’ against Emu Park

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Group 4 Finals: North Tamworth upset Minor Premiers Moree Boars for Grand Final spot

By Tallon Smith The North Tamworth Bears are the first side into the 2023 Group 4 Grand Final after a convincing 40-10 upset win over Minor Premiers the Moree Boars in the Major Semi Final at Boughton Oval in Moree on Saturday. The seven-time defending champions ran in seven tries to two against the Boars, who played with twelve men after second rower Aaron Robinson … Continue reading Group 4 Finals: North Tamworth upset Minor Premiers Moree Boars for Grand Final spot

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