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.
Riverina

2025 Battler of the Year Besgrove joins Group 20 premiership winner as inaugural Coolamon co-coaches

Tallon Smith He’s done what some labelled impossible, put his town back on the rugby league map, and won Battlers For Bush Footy’s Peter “Parra” Montgomery Battler of the Year award last year, but now Thomas Besgrove is set for a new challenge. Having already started a junior rugby league club in Coolamon three years ago, Besgrove is returning to the senior ranks as the … Continue reading 2025 Battler of the Year Besgrove joins Group 20 premiership winner as inaugural Coolamon co-coaches

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Group 20

‘Been a long time’: TLU downs Yanco to seal first grand final appearance in 10 years

Cover Photo: Emmy McMahon Tallon Smith A strong finish to the first half set up a comfortable victory as Tullibigeal-Lakes United earned its first grand final berth in a decade with a 30-6 triumph over Yanco-Wamoon at the Lake Cargelligo Recreation Ground on Sunday. After a scoreless first 17 minutes, tries to Ned Phillips, Tristin Johnson and Harry Anderson saw the Sharks take an 18-0 … Continue reading ‘Been a long time’: TLU downs Yanco to seal first grand final appearance in 10 years

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Statewide

Statewide Scoreboard: September 12-13, 2026

Welcome to your one-stop shop for every score in every First Grade game in regional NSW every weekend! Only 11 first grade matches were played over the weekend, as the season draws to a close. Cover Photo: Collegians booked a place in the Illawarra Rugby League grand final with a comfortable win over Thirroul (Photo: Tallon Smith) For live scores, draws, ladders and lower grades … Continue reading Statewide Scoreboard: September 12-13, 2026

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Group 9

Starr soars as Temora completes comeback to reach first grand final in two decades

Tallon Smith A stunning leaping effort from recently crowned Weissel Medallist Hamish Starr completed a remarkable comeback to lift Temora into its first grand final in 20 years with a 22-18 victory over Southcity at Harris Park on Sunday. Down 18-0 after 52 minutes, the Dragons rallied with four tries in 17 minutes, before defending multiple sets on their own line in a tense finish … Continue reading Starr soars as Temora completes comeback to reach first grand final in two decades

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Group 7

Stingrays hoping to flip the script in sudden-death battle with Gerringong

Cover Photo: Jenna Purcell/Game Face Photography Tallon Smith A year after they were eliminated by the same opposition, Stingrays of Shellharbour will look to flip the script Sunday when they take on Gerringong in the Group 7 minor semi final at Ron Costello Oval. Having already progressed further than 12 months ago by defeating local rivals Shellharbour Sharks 34-4 in the elimination final at Flinders … Continue reading Stingrays hoping to flip the script in sudden-death battle with Gerringong

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Illawarra

Corrimal ends 37-year grand final wait with major semi final victory over Thirroul

Tallon Smith There were scenes of pure jubilation at Ziems Park on Saturday as Corrimal reached its first Illawarra Rugby League grand final in 37 years with a 28-20 victory over local rivals Thirroul in the major semi final. Roared on by a massive crowd, the Cougars raced out to a 22-0 lead after 19 minutes and controlled the match from that point to book … Continue reading Corrimal ends 37-year grand final wait with major semi final victory over Thirroul

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Group 16, Group 19, Group 2, Group 21, Group 4, Newcastle Division, Peter McDonald Premiership

Grand Final Watch: Gunnedah breaks 28-year drought, extra time needed in Group 16 classic

Cover Photo: Gunnedah Bulldogs Facebook Tallon Smith A dominant opening 51 minutes set up a drought-breaking win as Gunnedah defeated the Moree Boars 28-12 to take out its first Group 4 title since 1998 at Kitchener Park on Saturday. The Bulldogs started fast with two tries in the opening 14 minutes of the game to Kurt Fisher and Cley Durrant to establish a 12-0 lead. … Continue reading Grand Final Watch: Gunnedah breaks 28-year drought, extra time needed in Group 16 classic

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Group 20

Waratahs outlast Yanco in bruising battle to claim first grand final spot

Tallon Smith It may not have been as easy as the scoreline suggests, but Griffith Waratahs have claimed the first place in the Group 20 grand final after overpowering Yanco-Wamoon 40-18 in a back-and-forth major semi final at the Exies Oval on Sunday afternoon. After taking a narrow 18-12 lead into the break, the Waratah Tigers finished the stronger of the two sides to earn … Continue reading Waratahs outlast Yanco in bruising battle to claim first grand final spot

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Group 20

‘Really good’: Sharks shine in defensive grind to move into home preliminary final

Cover Photo: Emmy McMahon Tallon Smith Tullibigeal-Lakes United is one win from its first Group 20 grand final in a decade after outlasting Leeton 12-8 in a gruelling minor semi final at Griffith’s Solar Mad Stadium on Saturday. Facing an 8-0 half time deficit, the Sharks rallied with two tries in the space of four minutes through front rowers Dylan Hately and Warren Lloyd to … Continue reading ‘Really good’: Sharks shine in defensive grind to move into home preliminary final

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