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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Massive fixtures revealed as Canberra Raiders Cup Draw announced for 2024

By Tallon Smith Footy fans in the Canberra region have begun circling their calendars and writing in their diaries after the draw for the Canberra Raiders Cup season was released last month. The draw is highlighted by the Grand Final rematch between Tuggeranong and Queanbeyan Roos, to be held in Round 7 on May 18, with the Bushrangers hosting the premiers at Greenway Oval. The … Continue reading Massive fixtures revealed as Canberra Raiders Cup Draw announced for 2024

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Dragons delight as Mudgee wins 2024 Bathurst Panthers Knockout over St Pats

By Tallon Smith The Mudgee Dragons have continued from where they left off in 2023 after taking out the Bathurst Panthers Knockout at Carrington Park on Saturday. After breezing through their two pool games, the Dragons piled on the points in a 32-12 victory over Bathurst St Pats in the Grand Final to claim the title and the $3000 prize money which went along with it. … Continue reading Dragons delight as Mudgee wins 2024 Bathurst Panthers Knockout over St Pats

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Fixture released for expanded Group 4 competition in 2024

By Tallon Smith Rugby league players and fans across North West NSW are counting down the days until the start of the 2024 season after the Group 4 draw was released earlier this week. The competition will begin in just under a month’s time, with a full suite of games on April 6, the first of an expanded 18 round competition after the addition of … Continue reading Fixture released for expanded Group 4 competition in 2024

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Season schedule set for 2024 after Central Coast Rugby League Draw Release 

By Tallon Smith Footy fans across the Central Coast are gearing up for another massive season after the release of the 2024 competition draw earlier this week. The competition has grown to 10 clubs across its First and Reserve Grade competitions, with Dora Creek joining from the Newcastle & Hunter Rugby League after a successful stint in that competition. Other things of note include Ourimbah … Continue reading Season schedule set for 2024 after Central Coast Rugby League Draw Release 

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Excitement building across Central West after release of Peter McDonald Premiership Draw

By Tallon Smith The long off-season is finally coming to an end and football is on the horizon, with the Peter McDonald Premiership draw being released for the 2024 season. After a highly competitive and entertaining season in 2023, the competition is looking like a wide open race again this season, with any number of clubs from both Groups 10 and 11 looking like genuine … Continue reading Excitement building across Central West after release of Peter McDonald Premiership Draw

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Queensland

Merger confirmed: Gladstone clubs join Rockhampton competition

By Tallon Smith A major shake-up is set to occur in the way rugby league is run in Central Queensland, with the top three Gladstone clubs moving to the Rockhampton competition for the 2024 season and beyond. After a merged First Grade competition was last run in 2022, clubs have been pushing for a full four-grade merger, as Battlers For Bush Footy reported last November. … Continue reading Merger confirmed: Gladstone clubs join Rockhampton competition

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Withdrawals send shockwaves through Western Division competitions, new draw needed for one league

By Tallon Smith Shockwaves have been sent through local football competitions again in 2024 with the withdrawal of clubs from both the Castlereagh League and Woodbridge Cup over the weekend. The Binnaway Bombshells and 2020 Premiers Dunedoo have pulled out of the Castlereagh First Grade competition for 2024, whilst the Condobolin Rams have withdrawn from the Woodbridge competition after a strong campaign last year. After … Continue reading Withdrawals send shockwaves through Western Division competitions, new draw needed for one league

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Windsor Wolves win Shellharbour Sharks Shootout after tense Grand Final victory

By Tallon Smith The Windsor Wolves have won the 2024 Shellharbour Sharks Shootout and the $6000 prize money on offer after sweeping their games at Ron Costello Oval on Saturday afternoon. The Wolves completed their run with a 24-10 win over the host club in the Final, after qualifying via an 18-0 nil shutout of Wentworthville and a narrow 8-6 win over the Stingrays of … Continue reading Windsor Wolves win Shellharbour Sharks Shootout after tense Grand Final victory

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The Narooma Problem: How ageing and declining populations threaten the future of country footy

By Tallon Smith I’m sure this week nearly everyone has seen that the Narooma Devils have entered recess in all senior grades except the Under 18s. Founded in 1932, the Devils have won 9 Premierships in Group 16, with a title coming as recently as 2012. However the town has long been dealing with changing demographics which have depleted the number of available rugby league … Continue reading The Narooma Problem: How ageing and declining populations threaten the future of country footy

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Riverina Rugby League Legend Roy Jewitt Rowing for MND

By Tallon Smith  Riverina Rugby League legend Roy Jewitt is preparing for a mammoth 24 hour rowing challenge on March 15 to raise money for research into Motor Neurone Disease. Beginning at 6pm, the former captain-coach of Young, as well as Yanco-Wamoon and DPC Roosters in Group 20, will row 5 kilometres on the hour for 24 hours in a gruelling physical challenge, and will … Continue reading Riverina Rugby League Legend Roy Jewitt Rowing for MND

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