Latrell Mitchell gives back to bush footy as Taree City Panthers officially launch club

Contributed – Mick McDonald SUPERSTAR South Sydney fullback Latrell Mitchell was one of the standout guests at the vibrant launch of the Taree City Panthers, held in conjunction with the Manning Valley Race Club meeting at the Bushland Drive Racecourse. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd of around 500 people, all eager to celebrate a new era for Rugby League and sport in Taree. Mitchell, … Continue reading Latrell Mitchell gives back to bush footy as Taree City Panthers officially launch club

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

Group 3: Old Bar crowned premiers after win over Port Macquarie

Image: Old Bar Pirates Facebook Tallon Smith The Old Bar Pirates have taken out their second Group 3 title three years after a 24-10 win over the Port Macquarie Sharks in the Grand Final at Old Bar Sporting Fields last Sunday. The Pirates ran in four tries to the Sharks’ two after a dominant opening to the hard-fought encounter. The Pirates opened the scoring through … Continue reading Group 3: Old Bar crowned premiers after win over Port Macquarie

Group 3: Big change coming to Taree league landscape after merger creates new super club

Tallon Smith A major change is coming for the rugby league scene in Taree after the Taree City Bulls senior club agreed to merge with the Taree Panthers juniors to form the Taree City Panthers ahead of the 2026 season. The change, which will create a single club for junior and senior football in the region competing in Group 3, follows numerous other examples which … Continue reading Group 3: Big change coming to Taree league landscape after merger creates new super club

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 side enters Group 3 a week after Hastings League redistribution

Tallon Smith A week after one of the biggest changes to the structure of rugby league on the North Coast, Group 3 has seen a change to its line-up ahead of the 2025 season. Hastings League side Lake Cathie-Bonny Hills have announced they will enter Under 18s and Women’s League Tag sides into the Group competition in 2025, in a move to further strengthen the … Continue reading New side enters Group 3 a week after Hastings League redistribution

Grand Final Wrap: Port Sharks kings of Group 3, Pickers complete threepeat in NEWRL

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

Champion by name, champion by nature as Beau gives back to community

By Tallon Smith Up on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, where the Macleay River flows out to the pristine Pacific Coast, lies the medium-sized town of Kempsey.  With a population of 15,000 arranged in an odd layout of sprawling streets surrounding a riverside Central Business District, the town lies on the lands of the Dunghutti people. Aside from its day job of … Continue reading Champion by name, champion by nature as Beau gives back to community

Grand Final Watch: Dubbo CYMS take Peter McDonald Premiership title, plus a recap of Groups 2, 3 & 7, GTS and the NHRL

By Tallon Smith The Dubbo CYMS have avenged last year’s loss to Forbes with a 25-12 win over the Mudgee Dragons in the Peter McDonald Premiership Grand Final at Apex Oval on Sunday. The CYMS, whose charge was spearheaded by fullback Jeremy Thurston, who finished with a try, four goals and a field goal, saw off a determined Mudgee side, who were without suspended captain-coach … Continue reading Grand Final Watch: Dubbo CYMS take Peter McDonald Premiership title, plus a recap of Groups 2, 3 & 7, GTS and the NHRL

SPOTLIGHT: Group 3 Rugby League

by Tallon Smith (28/04/2022) On the Mid-North Coast, where the waves crash in, a true beacon of light is the Group 3 Rugby League competition. Featuring 8 teams, Group 3 coexists with the second tier Hastings League, forming one of the most fertile rugby league regions in Regional NSW. The Group 3 competition contains the Forster-Tuncurry Hawks, Macleay Valley Mustangs, Old Bar Beach Pirates, Port … Continue reading SPOTLIGHT: Group 3 Rugby League