Cover Photo: Tahlia Crane Photography Tallon Smith – Analysis After another busy off-season around Group 9, clubs are preparing to welcome new signings to their line-ups in the hope of securing a spot in the top five and a finals berth. Over the summer, Battlers For Bush Footy has tracked every major signing and departure for each of the competition’s 10 clubs. Now, with the signings … Continue reading Group 9 off-season report card: Grading every club’s summer recruitment based on its gains and losses

Cover Photo: Tahlia Crane Photography Tallon Smith The Cootamundra Bulldogs are hoping a focus on developing local talent will pay dividends for the club in 2026 as it looks to the future under returned first grade coach Luke Berkrey. Continue reading Returning coach Berkrey backs young Bulldogs for successful transition to first grade

Tallon Smith Nathan Darby is the closest thing Albury’s current rugby league scene has to a cult hero. The English front rower has made his mark, both on the Border club and his opponents, carving out a reputation as one of Group 9’s toughest props. Now five years into his stint with the club, he can still recall the phone call he got from fellow … Continue reading Mistakes, bans, loss and triumph: Thunder enforcer Darby reflects on journey after five years on the Border

Cover Photo: Tahlia Crane Photography Tallon Smith The Junee Diesels will welcome several new players to the club ahead of the 2026 Group 9 season after a number of recruits were announced over the summer. Continue reading Recruitment and retention key for Diesels as Junee eyes return to finals in 2026

Tallon Smith Albury Thunder five-eighth Paul Karaitiana admits he didn’t know much about the Kelly Cup before receiving a call from Group 9 coach Blake Dunn, but is honoured to be the club’s sole representative in the clash at Yenda next weekend. Continue reading Bringing the Thunder: Sole Albury representative Karaitiana ‘honoured’ by Group 9 selection

Tallon Smith Group 9 Rugby League has unveiled its first Gladiators team in three years ahead of next month’s Kelly Cup clash with Group 20 at Yenda’s Wade Park. The 18-man squad, released via the Group’s social media channels late last night, features players from seven of the region’s 10 clubs, selected for the grudge match with the Razorbacks on February 14. The off-season’s big … Continue reading South City and Gundagai players dominate Group 9 Kelly Cup team

Cover Photo: Tahlia Crane Photography Tallon Smith A huge opening round showdown between the off-season’s two biggest movers has headlined the 2026 Group 9 Rugby League draw released this morning. Continue reading Blockbuster opening weekend and rivalry round headline 2026 Group 9 draw

Tallon Smith The Albury Thunder will return to fielding five teams in 2026 with the club announcing that it intends to field its first women’s tackle team in the Group Nine competition. Continue reading Coach appointed as Albury Thunder announce plans for inaugural women’s tackle team

Cover Photo: Tahlia Crane Photography Tallon Smith After enduring one of the toughest Group 9 seasons in recent memory, Wagga Brothers have made some major steps in their recruitment ahead of the 2026 campaign. Having signed former South City coach Cleve McGhie, as well as Merimbula-Pambula five-eighth Bailie Lyttle and club junior Cohen Benson, the club has set its sights on the next phase of its … Continue reading Brothers building: new recruits and strong culture key to Wagga club’s return to success

Cover Photo: Tahlia Crane Photography Tallon Smith The Gundagai Tigers have finally secured a coach for the upcoming season after the departure of premiership-winning mentor Aaron Gorrell. Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Gundagai get their man as Tigers mentor locked in for premiership defence