Devils’ delight: Goulburn coach Gray returns to Crookwell for 2026 season

Tallon Smith The Crookwell Green Devils have landed a major coup ahead of the 2026 George Tooke Shield season after securing the services of outgoing Goulburn coach Brian Gray as coach for the upcoming campaign. A veteran coach with 25 years of experience working in the NRL world, Gray will return to the scene of his success in 2022, re-joining the Green Devils as they … Continue reading Devils’ delight: Goulburn coach Gray returns to Crookwell for 2026 season

Goannas have their day in the sun as Googong record first win in George Tooke Shield

Tallon Smith After enduring a tough run of eight losses to open their inaugural season, the Googong Goannas broke through for their first win in the George Tooke Shield men’s competition with a 32-4 victory over the UC Stars on Saturday. After being competitive in many games throughout the first half of the year, the Goannas ran in six tries to one, led by a … Continue reading Goannas have their day in the sun as Googong record first win in George Tooke Shield

Riverina Wrap Around: Griffith Waratahs, Wagga Roos remain undefeated; Gundagai into second

Tallon Smith – reporting from Perth The Gundagai Tigers have moved into second place on the 2025 Great Northern Group 9 First Grade ladder with a 20-18 home win over the Junee Diesels at Laurie Daley Oval on Saturday. A double to Will Herring led the Tigers to the narrow victory, which sees them sitting in second place behind the unbeaten Kangaroos after nine rounds … Continue reading Riverina Wrap Around: Griffith Waratahs, Wagga Roos remain undefeated; Gundagai into second

STATEWIDE WRAP: Wellington shock defending premiers Mudgee, footy returns to Group 3 after floods

Tallon Smith The Wellington Cowboys have cemented their status as contenders in the Peter McDonald Premiership with a 28-22 win over the Mudgee Dragons at Kennard Park on Sunday afternoon. Tries to Nathaniel Robinson, Justin Toomey-White, Jacob Wilson, Tyrone Tattersall and a 12-point haul to Blake Ferguson comprising a try and four conversions was enough to propel the Cowboys to a victory over the defending … Continue reading STATEWIDE WRAP: Wellington shock defending premiers Mudgee, footy returns to Group 3 after floods

New club set to debut as George Tooke Shield season kicks off

Presented by: Tallon Smith The Googong Goannas will make their competitive debut as round one of the 2025 George Tooke Shield competition kicks off this Saturday in the Eastern Riverina and Capital Country. The Goannas will host the North Canberra Bears as part of a four-game slate to kick off the season for the CRRL’s second division competition. Meanwhile, Nick Hall’s Harden Hawks will face … Continue reading New club set to debut as George Tooke Shield season kicks off

Shock switch sees Group 16 premiers join George Tooke Shield for 2025 season

Tallon Smith Reigning Group 16 Premiers the Snowy River Bears have made a shock switch ahead of the 2025 season after deciding to depart their previous competition for the George Tooke Shield. With the vast majority of their players moving on next season, many to the Cooma Stallions, the club made the painstaking call to move to second division footy beginning in the new year. … Continue reading Shock switch sees Group 16 premiers join George Tooke Shield for 2025 season

The Off-season Battler: November Edition

Tallon Smith 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 your … Continue reading The Off-season Battler: November Edition

New club joins GTS in place of departing Cootamundra

By Tallon Smith – originally for the Yass Valley Times A new rugby league club in the Monaro region town of Googong is firming to join the George Tooke Shield in 2025 in place of the departing Cootamundra Bulldogs. According to sources with knowledge of the recent CRRL meeting, the Googong Goannas have been provisionally accepted into the competition next season, bucking the trend of … Continue reading New club joins GTS in place of departing Cootamundra

Bulldogs bounce back: Cootamundra looking to return to Group 9 after five-year absence

By Tallon Smith One of Group 9’s most successful former clubs may be back on the paddock in 2025 after the Cootamundra Bulldogs signalled their intention to re-join the competition next year.  The club this morning announced that they have submitted an application to join the competition for next season, which will be heard at the competition’s AGM next month. Bulldogs President Stephen Howse confirmed … Continue reading Bulldogs bounce back: Cootamundra looking to return to Group 9 after five-year absence

Canberra Rugby League: Two in a row for Roos after victory over Blues as “The Professor” makes big call

By Tallon Smith The Queanbeyan Roos are again the champions of the Canberra Raiders Cup after successfully defending their title from last season courtesy of an 18-10 victory over cross-town rivals Queanbeyan Blues at Seiffert Oval on Sunday. In front of a big crowd, Sam Williams opened the scoring for the Roos with some brilliant support play, before Blues five-eighth Connor Williams struck back to … Continue reading Canberra Rugby League: Two in a row for Roos after victory over Blues as “The Professor” makes big call