By “The Battler” In between enjoying daylight savings and a few yarns at the pub, the Battler has been spending his off-season with his ear to the ground, listening for any rumblings from the Riverina and beyond. With signings and changes aplenty across the bush, here is a look at the top stories driving the bush footy rumour so far mill this month. Here is … Continue reading The Off-Season Battler: October Update
By Tallon Smith The Group 13 district was once a stronghold of Rugby League in the 20th century. Located to the south of Wagga Wagga, the competition ran from 1946 until 1991, with clubs from Albury, Holbrook, Culcairn, Henty, Lockhart, Tumbarumba, Batlow and many other towns. However, the competition declined significantly in its latter years, down to a low of just six clubs and two … Continue reading Proposal: How to restart Rugby League in Aussie Rules’ Southern Riverina heartland
By Tallon Smith The Port Macquarie Sharks are the 2024 Group 3 Rugby League Premiers after a narrow 16-10 win over the Macleay Valley Mustangs in the Grand Final at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium on Saturday. The Sharks scored three tries to the Mustangs’ two to take home their first title since 2018 and their eighth in club history. Tryscorers for the Sharks were Wil … Continue reading Grand Final Wrap: Port Sharks kings of Group 3, Pickers complete threepeat in NEWRL
Cover Photo: Group 9 Facebook (2014) By Tallon Smith It was once the jewel in the crown of Riverina Rugby League, but the prestigious Kelly Cup has been left off the calendar for the last two years, much to the disappointment of potential representative stars. The annual fixture between Groups 9 and 20, although dominated by the former in recent years, formed a crucial part … Continue reading Bring it back: The one thing past and present Group 9 and 20 stars want to return
By Tallon Smith The Young Cherrypickers may have had to do it the hard way, but the 2024 Minor Premiers converted their regular season crown into their first title since 1991 with a last-gasp 16-12 win over the Wagga Kangaroos in the Group 9 Grand Final at McDonald’s Park today. The best side all year, dropping just one game and drawing another, the Cherrypickers dominated … Continue reading Group 9: Cherrypickers end 33-year drought in instant classic Grand Final
By Tallon Smith The 2024 Group 9 First Grade title will go on the line this Sunday afternoon when the Wagga Kangaroos take on the Young Cherrypickers in a massive Grand Final clash at McDonald’s Park. With both clubs aiming to break lengthy premiership droughts (Young’s being 33 years dating back to their 1991 title win, and Kangaroos’ sitting at 15 years since their 2009 … Continue reading Group 9 Grand Final Preview: Hear from both coaches and our celebrity tipsters ahead of the big game
By Tallon Smith The Griffith Waratah Tigers have capped their remarkable return from recess with a premiership after taking out the 2024 Group 20 Reserve Grade title with a 30-10 win over the Yenda Blueheelers at Solar Mad Stadium on Sunday. The Waratahs burst out of the blocks, skipping out to an early lead and never letting it lapse, with young hooker Luke Cannon the … Continue reading Group 20 Lower Grades: Tahs’ Cinderella story, Yenda’s delight, titles for Leeton, Black and Whites
Cover Photo Credit: The Riverine Grazier By Tallon Smith The Hay Magpies etched their name into history as the inaugural Women’s Tackle Premiers in Group 20 after an 18-16 win over the TLU Sharks at Solar Mad Stadium in Griffith on Sunday. The win is the Hay club’s first premiership since their 2016 League Tag triumph over the Leeton Greenies, and builds upon the club’s … Continue reading Hooray for Hay: Magpies the inaugural Group 20 Women’s Tackle Premiers
By Tallon Smith The Warialda Wombats may hail from a town with a population of just over 1,000 people, but little did that matter on Sunday after they defeated Inverell 60-32 in the Group 19 Grand Final at Jim Payne Oval. The Wombats piled on the points to break a 17-year drought dating back to their 2007 triumph over Guyra, winning a record 10th Group … Continue reading The Battlers Wrap Around: Warialda kings of Group 19; Erina, Camden, Kendall Premiers
By Tallon Smith The Gerringong Lions have affirmed their status as the premier side in Group 7, taking home back-to-back titles after a 28-10 win over the Shellharbour Sharks at Centenary Field in Albion Park on Sunday. In doing so, the Lions emulated the feats of their 1920-21-22 and 2015-16 sides in winning consecutive premierships for only the third time in the club’s history. Gerringong … Continue reading Group 7: Lions reign supreme as Gerringong go back-to-back against Sharks
