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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Illawarra Rugby League: Collegians first side into Grand Final after upset win over De La Salle

By Tallon Smith Collegians have booked their spot in the Illawarra Rugby League Grand Final after recording a 24-6 win over De La Salle in the Major Semi Final at Collegians Sports Stadium on Saturday. The win is an exact reversal of the result of the last time the two sides played in Caringbah two weeks ago, where De La Salle took the leadership of … Continue reading Illawarra Rugby League: Collegians first side into Grand Final after upset win over De La Salle

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Group 4: North Tamworth make it eight titles on the trot with Grand Final victory over Moree

By Tallon Smith The North Tamworth Bears have extended their remarkable run of consecutive Group 4 titles to eight in a row following a 26-16 win over the Moree Boars at Jack Woolaston Oval on Saturday. North Tamworth hooker Scott Blanch opened the scoring in the second minute, with the Bears following this with two more tries, including one to centre Jone Marau, to skip … Continue reading Group 4: North Tamworth make it eight titles on the trot with Grand Final victory over Moree

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Statewide First Grade/Senior Men’s Scoreboard

Updated: Weekend of 19/20 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 Queanbeyan Kangaroos 44 defeated Belconnen United 8 Queanbeyan Blues 36 defeated Gungahlin 33 Tuggeranong 66 defeated Yass 0 West Belconnen 27 defeated Woden Valley 24 Goulburn City bye Central Coast Grand Final: … Continue reading Statewide First Grade/Senior Men’s Scoreboard

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Group 16 Finals Recap: Tathra end Narooma’s run, Merimbula-Pambula upset Eden for GF spot

By Tallon Smith The Tathra Sea Eagles will today face Eden after they ended the finals run of the Narooma Devils by virtue of a 30-28 extra time win in the Minor Semi Final at Tathra Country Club last Saturday. After a scheduling conflict with rugby union forced their away Elimination Final encounter with Snowy River to be moved from Saturday to Sunday in week … Continue reading Group 16 Finals Recap: Tathra end Narooma’s run, Merimbula-Pambula upset Eden for GF spot

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Club Spotlight: Keeping the Hawks Flying

By Tallon Smith Located at the ‘Gateway to the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area’, the small village of Yanco is a stone’s throw (4 kilometres) from the town of Leeton. The local rugby league team, the Yanco-Wamoon Hawks, have been a fixture of the town for over half a century, playing out of the Yanco Sportsground. Formed in 1970, the club was the product of an amalgamation … Continue reading Club Spotlight: Keeping the Hawks Flying

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Goodooga go back to back in Barwon Darling Cup

By Tallon Smith The Goodooga Magpies have continued their stunning run since returning to the Barwon Darling Rugby League competition last year by defeating the Bourke Warriors for the second year running to the tune of 30 points to 22. Minor Premiers in 2023, the Magpies hosted the Grand Final, and to the delight of their home fans lifted their second successive trophy, a feat … Continue reading Goodooga go back to back in Barwon Darling Cup

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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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