Tallon Smith The Macleay Valley Mustangs will once again have NRL experience at the helm of their first grade side after securing Beau Champion as coach for the 2026 season. The 11-year NRL veteran returns to the Mustangs after previously coaching the side to a grand final appearance in 2024, before having a year off last season. In an interview with Battlers For Bush Footy, … Continue reading Champion returns: Former NRL centre to take charge of Macleay Valley Mustangs in 2026

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

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

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

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