Capital Country clubs preparing for battle after release of Canberra Rugby League draw

Tallon Smith Rugby league fans across the ACT and broader Capital Country are gearing up for yet another mammoth season of bush footy action after the release of the 2025 Canberra Raiders Cup draw last month. The season will kick off with a blockbuster opening round, headlined by a Grand Final rematch Queanbeyan Derby between the Blues and Roos at Seiffert Oval on Saturday, April … Continue reading Capital Country clubs preparing for battle after release of Canberra Rugby League draw

Quirindi Grasshoppers join Group 21 in push for bush footy return

Tallon Smith Country rugby league’s rebound in 2025 has spread to the Liverpool Plains with the Quirindi Grasshoppers set to return to the Group 21 competition after eight years in recess. The Grasshoppers, who spent time both in that competition and the Group 4 Second Division prior to their hiatus, will rejoin the group via its reserve grade competition, joining Merriwa and Murrurundi as reserves-only … Continue reading Quirindi Grasshoppers join Group 21 in push for bush footy return

Forbes Magpies the best of the west after pre-season League Tag Challenge success

John Fitzgerald The Forbes Magpies have completed an undefeated run through the draw to win the annual Western League Tag Challenge played at Canowindra’s Tom Clyburn Oval on Sunday. The Grand Final saw the Magpies face perennial Western Premiership powerhouse Bathurst St Pats for the crown, with Forbes running out the winners in a close encounter 8-4. Meanwhile, St Pats’ Erin Naden was named the … Continue reading Forbes Magpies the best of the west after pre-season League Tag Challenge success

70 minute lead not enough as Riverina fall to Western Rams in Country Championships clash

Cover Photo: Pita Visuals Tallon Smith The Riverina Bulls’ 2025 Country Championships campaign is over before it even really began after an agonising 28-18 loss to a resilient Western Rams outfit at Parramore Park in Wagga Wagga on Sunday. After leading for nearly the entire match, the Bulls were overrun in the final quarter of the game by a strong Rams outfit to suffer first … Continue reading 70 minute lead not enough as Riverina fall to Western Rams in Country Championships clash

Sharks beat all comers to claim 2025 Shellharbour Shootout crown

Tallon Smith The Shellharbour Sharks have won their own pre-season tournament, taking out the seven-team Shellharbour Sharks Shootout with a 12-4 victory over Windsor Wolves in the final at Ron Costello Oval late on Saturday afternoon. In a tense and dramatic final match, last year’s winners Windsor opened the scoring to lead 4-0, before Ryan James hit back for the home side, with Isaac Morris … Continue reading Sharks beat all comers to claim 2025 Shellharbour Shootout crown

No footy for Armidale club in 2025 after Rams withdraw in 20th anniversary season

Tallon Smith The Armidale Rams have withdrawn from the 2025 Group 19 Rugby League season after a lack of players saw them unable to field A-Grade or League tag sides this year. The proud club, formed in 2005 from the merger of the Armidale Galloping Greens and YCW, was set to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, before the disappointing news broke via a statement … Continue reading No footy for Armidale club in 2025 after Rams withdraw in 20th anniversary season

Kings of the Knockout: South City win big in West Wyalong

Tallon Smith The South City Bulls are the 2025 West Wyalong Knockout Champions after a 14-6 victory over the Parkes Spacemen in the final at Ron Crowe Oval on Saturday night. After a disappointing campaign at the event last season, the Bulls went four from four over the weekend to defeat the Peter McDonald Premiership Grand Finalists and take the trophy back to Group 9 … Continue reading Kings of the Knockout: South City win big in West Wyalong

First ever Magic Round and blockbuster derbies headline 2025 Group 7 Rugby League draw

Tallon Smith Excitement is building amongst rugby league players and spectators up and down the South Coast after the 2025 Group 7 draw was released to clubs on Thursday afternoon. Nine teams will contest the First Grade competition, with the return of Berry-Shoalhaven Heads to First Grade confirmed, while Warilla-Lake South will not field a top grade side, electing to rebuild in the reserves competition. … Continue reading First ever Magic Round and blockbuster derbies headline 2025 Group 7 Rugby League draw

“League’s back”: Bigger and better Bathurst Panthers Knockout confirmed for next month

Cover Photo: Rodders Photos Tallon Smith Footy fans in the Central West will get a dose of rugby league action before the start of the Peter McDonald Premiership season with the annual Bathurst Panthers Knockout confirmed for March 14 and 15 at Carrington Park. The event, which is an annual tradition in the region, will comprise of 20 teams across two divisions of 10 each, … Continue reading “League’s back”: Bigger and better Bathurst Panthers Knockout confirmed for next month

Return of the ‘reggies’: Group 19 to field second grade competition in 2025 under new model

Tallon Smith Group 19 Rugby League will field its first Reserve Grade competition in almost a decade after clubs were briefed on the idea at a Group meeting on Sunday. The competition will follow a similar model to the Castlereagh League reserves, with matches beginning on the latest possible week to complete a round robin before finals, with the grade set for a late May … Continue reading Return of the ‘reggies’: Group 19 to field second grade competition in 2025 under new model