Group 9

Exclusive: New era to begin at Young under local coaching duo and former NRL star

Tallon Smith The Young Cherrypickers have announced a major change to their coaching setup heading into next year, with Jayke Hogan and Daniel Barclay to take the reins of the First Grade side for the 2026 Group 9 season. The pair will be joined by another big name as Assistant Coach, with former Cronulla Sharks star Nathan Stapleton to lend his expertise to this season’s … Continue reading Exclusive: New era to begin at Young under local coaching duo and former NRL star

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Riverina

We did it! Kelly Cup return finalised after Battlers campaign to reinstate prestigious fixture

Tallon Smith After a four-year hiatus, the prestigious Kelly Cup between rival Riverina competitions Group 9 and Group 20 will return in February as a selection trial for the region’s country championships team. The announcement of the fixture’s return comes after a two-year campaign led by Battlers For Bush Footy to revive the historic representative match, which began with a piece that ran last summer … Continue reading We did it! Kelly Cup return finalised after Battlers campaign to reinstate prestigious fixture

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Obituary

Vale Peter “Parra” Montgomery: A rugby league legend, a friend, and a mentor

Tallon Smith The country rugby league world has lost a giant of the game, after the passing of the great Peter “Parra” Montgomery last night aged 79. A legendary figure across Groups 9, 17 and 20, and the Country Rugby League as a whole, Parra held positions as a player, journalist and administrator at local, group and state level. Peter Montgomery originally hailed from Sydney, … Continue reading Vale Peter “Parra” Montgomery: A rugby league legend, a friend, and a mentor

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Statewide

ENTER NOW: How you can WIN $2,000 worth of Retro Jerseys for your club!

Advertising Feature Have you seen those trendy retro jerseys getting around bush footy circles in New South Wales? Chances are, they were made by these guys. Ganmain-based apparel company Cobrapparel is offering clubs the chance to win $2,000 worth of custom cotton retro jerseys in a design of their choice ahead of the 2026 season, all via a social media competition. The company launched the … Continue reading ENTER NOW: How you can WIN $2,000 worth of Retro Jerseys for your club!

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Castlereagh League

Castlereagh League: Coolah takes out first Clayton Cup after perfect season

Bryson Luff & Tallon Smith The already bulging Coolah Kangaroos trophy cabinet welcomed a new addition on Saturday night when their first-grade side was awarded the highly prestigious Clayton Cup by NSW Rugby League. The Clayton Cup dates back to 1937 and is awarded annually to the NSW country rugby league team with the best overall record for that season.  Two-time Roos premiership forward Casey Burgess said … Continue reading Castlereagh League: Coolah takes out first Clayton Cup after perfect season

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Mid West Cup

Mid West Cup: Blackheath and Rockley to face off for the title before major fundraiser

John Fitzgerald & Pip Honan Blackheath will face Rockley in the 2025 Mid West Cup Grand Final after round 3 action saw wins to the Blackcates and Bulls, along with Portland and CSU Bathurst. There were no surprises in the results, Blackheath defeating Kandos 36-14, Rockley 24-16 winners over Carcoar, CSU 40-10 over Woodstock, and Portland 18-16 winners in the local derby over Wallerawang. Blackheath, … Continue reading Mid West Cup: Blackheath and Rockley to face off for the title before major fundraiser

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Group 3

NRL Premiership winner set to join Group 3 Premiers in major coaching coup

Tallon Smith Just three weeks after their Group 3 Grand Final triumph, the Old Bar Beach Pirates have signalled their intent to create a dynasty after announcing that former NRL Premiership winner Jamie Soward will join the club as co-coach in 2026. Soward, who until this year was the coach of the Dragons NRLW team, will take the reins alongside Grand Final hero Brady Barwick, … Continue reading NRL Premiership winner set to join Group 3 Premiers in major coaching coup

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Mid West Cup, Western Women's RL

Rugby league season keeps rolling in Central West as two competitions resume

John Fitzgerald Two rugby league competitions resume on Saturday following their respective breaks over the long weekend. Mid West Community Cup round 3 games are set down for Bathurst and Wallerawang, with unbeaten Blackheath to meet Kandos at Wallerawang Sportsground in the 1 pm match followed by the Wallerawang and Portland game at 2.25. In the western division, matches at CSU’s Diggings field Rockley and … Continue reading Rugby league season keeps rolling in Central West as two competitions resume

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NRL

I’m not a Broncos fan. Why this year’s Grand Final was the most special one I’ve seen

Tallon Smith Previously, my favourite NRL Grand Final moment was the Sharks’ 2016 triumph over the Storm. However, on Sunday, thanks to a winning entry in the Sydney Morning Herald’s competition on the topic of your favourite Grand Final moment, I attended my first live NRL Grand Final, and a contest for the ages changed that. The Broncos, so long a sleeping giant of the … Continue reading I’m not a Broncos fan. Why this year’s Grand Final was the most special one I’ve seen

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Group 9

Group 9: Brothers make major move as South City coach joins cross-town rivals for season 2026

Tallon Smith The Wagga Brothers have made the second major move of the Group 9 off-season, announcing the signing of former South City coach Cleve McGhie for the 2026 campaign. The outgoing Bulls mentor will join the Brothers in a playing capacity under the coaching of Blake Dunn, who will continue in the role next season. The signing of McGhie was announced via a statement … Continue reading Group 9: Brothers make major move as South City coach joins cross-town rivals for season 2026

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