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.
Group 19, Queensland

Four towns on the same highway without Senior Men’s teams in 2024

By Tallon Smith Country rugby league is again reeling after more clubs announced they will be sitting out the 2024 season this week. The latest losses have centred around the New England region, with the Tenterfield Tigers the latest club to announce their withdrawal after being unable to form competitive teams for the season. The club, which competes in the Border Rivers competition after leaving … Continue reading Four towns on the same highway without Senior Men’s teams in 2024

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League looking strong in Binalong after Jersey Girls win Monaro Knockout

By Tallon Smith The Binalong Jersey Girls have completed one of the more spectacular fairytale runs to win the Monaro Knockout in Batemans Bay after a 22-10 defeat of the Eden Tigers in the Cup Final on Saturday afternoon. The side won their opening match on Friday night 6-4 over Bega to progress through to Saturday’s Cup tournament, where they swept aside Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters … Continue reading League looking strong in Binalong after Jersey Girls win Monaro Knockout

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Things in motion for return of rugby league to Deniliquin

By Tallon Smith The push to get a rugby league club up and running again in Deniliquin is gathering momentum after a successful initial meeting. The event held at the Bowling Club in Deniliquin on March 10 recorded a higher than expected turnout of interested locals, and with increasing coverage in the local press and a growing online following, the team has now set their … Continue reading Things in motion for return of rugby league to Deniliquin

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Gerringong create history in inaugural Illawarra-South Coast Premiers Challenge

By Tallon Smith The Gerringong Lions have made a big statement on the game’s balance of power on the South Coast after the reigning Group 7 Premiers defeated last year’s Illawarra Champions Thirroul in a highly entertaining game at Michael Cronin Oval on Saturday. A large crowd braved the adverse weather conditions to watch the contest, which pitted the two premier sides in the region … Continue reading Gerringong create history in inaugural Illawarra-South Coast Premiers Challenge

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Dates for big games revealed after George Tooke Shield draw release

By Tallon Smith The picture surrounding the 2024 George Tooke Shield season has been made much clearer after the competition draw was released to the public last week. Eight teams will contest the competition this season, with fourteen rounds scheduled for the regular season. The year will begin with a grudge match when the Harden Hawks will face perennial powerhouses Bungendore Tigers at Mick Sherd … Continue reading Dates for big games revealed after George Tooke Shield draw release

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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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