Mark Daly elected Group 9 President for 2024

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

“Doesn’t pass the pub test”: Club excluded from competition with no reasoning 

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 

Coolamon Raiders to bring Junior Rugby League back to Canola Way

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

Club Spotlight: Return of the Axemen

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

Regional areas snubbed again in NRL Pre-Season Challenge draw

By Tallon Smith So we’re here again. Deja vu. 12 months on since I wrote about the same thing, the NRL has decided again for 2024 that playing trial games in the country isn’t a priority for the code. Just eight of the sixteen NRL Pre-Season Challenge matches will be played in regional centres, and only two will be played in areas over two hours’ … Continue reading Regional areas snubbed again in NRL Pre-Season Challenge draw

EXCLUSIVE: Wee Waa Panthers announce plans for stunning return to Group 4

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

Yenda, Griffith Waratahs announce key signings for 2024

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

Proten Cup Committee Appointed for 2024 season

By Tallon Smith Brent Parsons will lead the Proten Community Cup competition into 2024 after the Rankins Springs President was elected to the post of competition President at last Sunday’s AGM at the Griffith Leagues Club. Parsons will be joined by ten other committee members, with his cousin Jamie Parsons continuing in the external role of publicity officer for the competition, while fellow competition founder … Continue reading Proten Cup Committee Appointed for 2024 season

Brothers land ex-NRL star Gorrell as coach for First Grade Return

By Tallon Smith The Wagga Brothers have pulled off a major coup ahead of their return to Group 9 First Grade after securing the services of former Dragon and Bronco Aaron Gorrell as coach for the 2024 season. After player shortages and other difficulties forced the red and greens to pull out of the competition’s premier grade this year, the club has its sights set … Continue reading Brothers land ex-NRL star Gorrell as coach for First Grade Return