Proten Cup Preliminary Finals Wrap and Grand Final Previews

By Tallon Smith The Ivanhoe Roosters have produced one of the biggest upsets in country football this year to comfortably defeat Hillston on their home turf at Stan Peters Oval on Sunday. A week after producing a mammoth upset over the highly fancied Goolgowi Rabbitohs in the Elimination Semi Finals, the Roosters again proved the critics wrong, including myself, to set up a date with … Continue reading Proten Cup Preliminary Finals Wrap and Grand Final Previews

Group 9 Wrap: South City surprise a desperate Albury side, Tumut-Gundagai derby draws huge crowd

By Tallon Smith The South City Bulls have pulled off a massive upset in Group 9 First Grade, beating the Albury Thunder 30-22 at Greenfield Park on Saturday afternoon. In front of a big crowd as the Thunder hosted NAIDOC Round, the Bulls shocked the Albury faithful to record a famous victory over their fierce rivals, moving the club further away from the dreaded wooden … Continue reading Group 9 Wrap: South City surprise a desperate Albury side, Tumut-Gundagai derby draws huge crowd

They’re back: Griffith Waratahs AGM a big success

By Tallon Smith The Griffith Waratah Tigers are firming in their bid to return to the Group 20 competition in 2024 after holding a highly successful Annual General Meeting at the Exies Sporties on Tuesday Night. After heavy promotion (including in conjunction with Battlers For Bush Footy), around 30 people attended the meeting, with all positions filled ahead of the club’s intended 2024 return. Waratahs … Continue reading They’re back: Griffith Waratahs AGM a big success

How to fix Group 20, and capitalise from rather than compete with the ProTen Community Cup 

By Tallon Smith – Opinion In recent years the Group 20 competition has become very sick. Once a thriving league where all nine clubs had two senior men’s grades, plus Ladies League Tag, Under 18s and Under 16s, the competition has become less and less competitive over recent seasons. Many people have been stumped on how to fix the competition, and the blame has been … Continue reading How to fix Group 20, and capitalise from rather than compete with the ProTen Community Cup 

Group 20 Wrap: Country footy has hit rock bottom

By Tallon Smith The other day, Narrandera Lizards Coach Shaun Lyons gave me a very nice compliment. He said, “I really like that in your coverage you are always positive.” Well Shaun, I’m about to let you down so to speak.  I like to think I am a very positive and enthusiastic person when it comes to my bush footy coverage, and I always love … Continue reading Group 20 Wrap: Country footy has hit rock bottom

Berkeley score last-gasp win over Figtree Crushers in Illawarra Second Division

By Tallon Smith The Berkeley Eagles have maintained their undefeated record in the Illawarra Rugby League’s Division 2 Harrigan Shield competition, defeating the Figtree Crushers 22-18 at Berkeley Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon. In a match that ebbed and flowed, with both sides holding the advantage at different times, a try 30 seconds from full-time to Dean Hodgson sealed the win for the Eagles, who … Continue reading Berkeley score last-gasp win over Figtree Crushers in Illawarra Second Division

Proten Cup Finals Wrap: Narrandera first side into Grand Final after comfortable win over Hillston

By Tallon Smith The Narrandera Lizards are the first team into the 2023 Proten Community Cup Grand Final after they comfortably defeated Hillston 30-12 at the Narrandera Sportsground on Saturday afternoon. The runaway competition leaders showed their Minor Premiership-winning qualities in the victory, with seventeen year old Campbell Lyons crossing for a hat-trick and Gary Ingram booting four of the Lizards’ five conversions in the … Continue reading Proten Cup Finals Wrap: Narrandera first side into Grand Final after comfortable win over Hillston

Group 20 Wrap: DPC get handy win over Lakes in annual Tullibigeal game

By Tallon Smith The Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters have maintained contact with runaway competition leaders Leeton and the second-placed Griffith Black and Whites with a 62-16 win over Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo United (TLU) at Tullibigeal Recreation Ground on Sunday. In their annual Tullibigeal fixture, the Lakes boys ran out in front of a huge home crowd of over 500, and were spirited in defeat to the improving … Continue reading Group 20 Wrap: DPC get handy win over Lakes in annual Tullibigeal game

Group 9 Wrap: Kangaroos claim Wagga Derby in front of vocal Harris Park crowd

By Tallon Smith The Wagga Kangaroos have further asserted their claims on a top five spot with a 40-20 win over cross-town rivals South City at Harris Park on Saturday. In front of a crowd in excess of 500 in the suburban Wagga sunshine, the Roos ground out the hard-fought victory after South City’s Brody Tracey was controversially sent off for a high tackle midway … Continue reading Group 9 Wrap: Kangaroos claim Wagga Derby in front of vocal Harris Park crowd

Club Spotlight: Harden Hawks (and an important fundraiser)

By Tallon Smith Nestled in the Hilltops region, east of Temora on the road to Yass, are the twin towns of Harden and Murrumburrah. Established in 1824 and located on the lands of the Wiradjuri people, the towns are home to the Harden-Murrumburrah RLFC, who were themselves founded in 1921 and are more commonly known as the Harden Hawks. Formerly of Group 9, the Hawks … Continue reading Club Spotlight: Harden Hawks (and an important fundraiser)