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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Group 20: Leeton to field remarkable five grades in Grand Final

By Tallon Smith The Leeton Greenies will make history this weekend when they field teams in all five grades Group 20 Grand Final day, after their First Grade side sealed their place with a 34-14 win over the Griffith Black and Whites in the Preliminary Final at the Darlington Point Sportsground on Sunday. The First Graders followed the Reserve Graders and League Tag, who also … Continue reading Group 20: Leeton to field remarkable five grades in Grand Final

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Cudgen fairytale defies the odds to snap 17-year premiership drought

By Tallon Smith The Cudgen Hornets have completed one of the more remarkable fairytales in country footy by breaking a 17-year premiership drought in the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League with an 18-4 Grand Final win over Minor Premiers the Ballina Seagulls on Sunday. After losing their leagues club in a devastating fire during the COVID years, the Hornets have fought on, winning titles in … Continue reading Cudgen fairytale defies the odds to snap 17-year premiership drought

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Thirroul withdrawal sounds potential death knell for Presidents Cup

By Tallon Smith The Thirroul Butchers have sent shockwaves through the regional rugby league community by withdrawing from their Presidents Cup match scheduled for this Saturday against Maitland at Maitland Sports Ground. The future of the competition, which pits the champions of the four strongest community level leagues in the state to crown a statewide third-tier champion, is now in major doubt in just its … Continue reading Thirroul withdrawal sounds potential death knell for Presidents Cup

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Berkeley renaissance bucks Illawarra Rugby League post-COVID decline

By Tallon Smith After dropping two grades just three years ago, the Berkeley Eagles have announced they will be moving up to the Illawarra Rugby League’s first division in 2024. After going undefeated until the COVID cancellation in 2021 and doing the same only to lose in the grand final last year, the Eagles finally won the title this season, despite dropping just one game … Continue reading Berkeley renaissance bucks Illawarra Rugby League post-COVID decline

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Affiliated States, Queensland, Statewide, Victoria

10 places that need a rugby league team to return

By Tallon Smith This is Battlers For Bush Footy’s 100th article since we launched our website in November last year! To celebrate this occasion, we’re taking a look at 10 towns and regions that need our great game rugby league to return to their local sporting fields. So, without further ado, here they are! 10. Quirindi (NSW) By far and away the largest town in … Continue reading 10 places that need a rugby league team to return

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Group 7: Sharks win nailbiting ‘Shellharbour Showdown’ to advance to grand final

By Tallon Smith The Shellharbour Sharks have advanced to the Group 7 grand final with a 17-16 upset win over Stingrays in the preliminary final at Cec Glenholmes Oval on Saturday. Despite scoring two tries to the Stingrays’ three, the Sharks’ perfect kicking record and the addition of two penalty goals saw them draw level at 16-all, allowing halfback Isaac Morris to step up and … Continue reading Group 7: Sharks win nailbiting ‘Shellharbour Showdown’ to advance to grand final

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Video & Report: Terrific Thirroul take title in instant Illawarra classic

By Tallon Smith The Thirroul Butchers have stunned the local rugby league community by taking out the Illawarra Rugby League Premiership with a 24-18 win over two-time defending champions Collegians in the Grand Final at WIN Stadium last Saturday. After facing the serious prospect of missing the finals altogether just a matter of weeks ago as Dapto made a late charge and threatened their spot, … Continue reading Video & Report: Terrific Thirroul take title in instant Illawarra classic

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Statewide First Grade/Senior Men’s Scoreboard: Sep 9/10

Updated: Weekend of 9/10 September 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 Preliminary Final: Queanbeyan Kangaroos 40 defeated Belconnen United 10 Central Coast Season complete Illawarra Season complete Illawarra Second Division Season complete Newcastle Season complete Northern Rivers Grand Final: Cudgen 18 defeated Ballina … Continue reading Statewide First Grade/Senior Men’s Scoreboard: Sep 9/10

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Exclusive: Deniliquin looks to put Blue Heelers back on rugby league map

By Tallon Smith In a major shock, the Deniliquin Blue Heelers have announced they are looking to end almost 50 years in the rugby league wilderness and return to the playing field, after a steering committee was formed this week in an attempt to restart rugby league activity in the town. Apart from a brief period in the 2000s when the Deniliquin Raiders entered the … Continue reading Exclusive: Deniliquin looks to put Blue Heelers back on rugby league map

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Grand Final Watch: Thoroughbreds outpace Colts to deliver Scone fourth-straight title, Maitland win again

By Tallon Smith The Scone Thoroughbreds have won their fourth successive Group 21 Rugby League Premiership after defeating the Greta-Branxton Colts 30-28 in the Grand Final held at Greta Central Oval on Sunday. Although they faced a much more challenging year than last year’s Clayton Cup winning effort, the Thoroughbreds came from third place, defeating Muswellbrook and Denman en route to taking out the club’s … Continue reading Grand Final Watch: Thoroughbreds outpace Colts to deliver Scone fourth-straight title, Maitland win again

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