By Tallon Smith After announcing a triumphant return to football just a matter of weeks ago, the Orara Valley Axemen have taken a different approach, announcing their intention to amalgamate with Bellingen-Dorrigo to form a more sustainable and competitive outfit in 2024 known as Combined Valleys. As both clubs have been in and out of the competition in recent seasons, the idea of fielding a … Continue reading Orara Valley and Bellingen-Dorrigo set to amalgamate to form new Group 2 outfit

By Tallon Smith The hunt for a successor to Andrew Hinchcliffe is over, with Mark Daly elected to the post of Group 9 President at the competition’s AGM in Wagga Wagga on Sunday. The change to the top job occurs at a critical time for the league, with two clubs looking to return to the competition after a difficult few years post-pandemic, and the lingering … Continue reading Mark Daly elected Group 9 President for 2024

By Tallon Smith Rugby league fans around the Macarthur region are in shock after the South West Goannas club were expelled from the competition for next season by the NSWRL and some of the Group 6 clubs.  The start-up club, who competed in the Macarthur First Grade competition in 2023 and were undefeated premiers in the Gold Conference Competition in 2022, were voted out of … Continue reading “Doesn’t pass the pub test”: Club excluded from competition with no reasoning 

By Tallon Smith Rugby league will again be played on the Canola Way in 2024 after a proposal for the formation of the Coolamon Raiders Junior Rugby League Club was made last week. Situated half an hour’s drive north-west of Wagga Wagga, Coolamon first played rugby league in 1935 and formerly had a team in the Kennedy Shield competition (Wagga Second Division) in the 20th … Continue reading Coolamon Raiders to bring Junior Rugby League back to Canola Way

By Tallon Smith Up in the Orara Valley surrounding the famous North Coast city of Coffs Harbour is the small town of Coramba. A lesser known location on the ‘Banana Coast,’ the village of just over 800 people is located 15 minutes from the city centre, and is home to the Orara Valley Axemen rugby league club. Famously supported by Hollywood A-Lister Russell Crowe, and … Continue reading Club Spotlight: Return of the Axemen

By Tallon Smith After six years in the wilderness, the Wee Waa Panthers have announced plans to return to Group 4 Rugby League in 2024 in a stunning revival for the game in the area. Most famous for producing former Parramatta, St Helens and Manly centre Jamie Lyon, the Panthers last competed in the Group 4 competition in 2017. Club Secretary Hannah Hall said that … Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Wee Waa Panthers announce plans for stunning return to Group 4

This morning, Battlers For Bush Footy founder Tallon Smith featured on Triple M Riverina MIA’s Breakfast Show. Speaking with host Matt Collins, Tallon discussed the health of rugby league across Regional NSW and more specifically the Group 20 competition. The full interview can be found by clicking here. Continue reading Battlers For Bush Footy features on Radio

By Tallon Smith The Yenda Blueheelers have announced on Sunday that front rower Tongia Fox will return to the club in 2024. A Yenda junior, Fox left the club to join Forbes Magpies before the pandemic, where he won the 2022 Peter McDonald Premiership title. In a post to their Instagram page, the Yenda club expressed their excitement upon the announcement of Fox’s return. “Tongia … Continue reading Yenda, Griffith Waratahs announce key signings for 2024