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
By Tallon Smith The Wests Devils have erased the heartbreak of their 2019 and 2022 losses to claim their first Illawarra Rugby League First Grade premiership in six years courtesy of a 31-20 victory over the Thirroul Butchers at WIN Stadium on Sunday. The Butchers raced out to a 12-0 lead in the early stages, before the Devils clawed their way back, scoring six tries … Continue reading Illawarra League: Devils delight as Wests top Thirroul in comeback Grand Final victory
By Tallon Smith The Berkeley Eagles are celebrating one of their biggest victories in years after defeating Collegians 30-4 in the opening round of the 2024 Illawarra Plate competition. The match was a significant one for the Eagles, who have returned to the Reserve Grade competition this season after falling from First Grade to Third Grade after the pandemic. Despite the adverse weather conditions, a … Continue reading Eagles soar to new heights with big Reserve Grade win over Collie Dogs
By Tallon Smith The Gerringong Lions have made a big statement on the game’s balance of power on the South Coast after the reigning Group 7 Premiers defeated last year’s Illawarra Champions Thirroul in a highly entertaining game at Michael Cronin Oval on Saturday. A large crowd braved the adverse weather conditions to watch the contest, which pitted the two premier sides in the region … Continue reading Gerringong create history in inaugural Illawarra-South Coast Premiers Challenge
By Tallon Smith The Windsor Wolves have won the 2024 Shellharbour Sharks Shootout and the $6000 prize money on offer after sweeping their games at Ron Costello Oval on Saturday afternoon. The Wolves completed their run with a 24-10 win over the host club in the Final, after qualifying via an 18-0 nil shutout of Wentworthville and a narrow 8-6 win over the Stingrays of … Continue reading Windsor Wolves win Shellharbour Sharks Shootout after tense Grand Final victory
By Tallon Smith The Thirroul Butchers have sent shockwaves through the regional rugby league community by withdrawing from their Presidents Cup match scheduled for this Saturday against Maitland at Maitland Sports Ground. The future of the competition, which pits the champions of the four strongest community level leagues in the state to crown a statewide third-tier champion, is now in major doubt in just its … Continue reading Thirroul withdrawal sounds potential death knell for Presidents Cup
By Tallon Smith After dropping two grades just three years ago, the Berkeley Eagles have announced they will be moving up to the Illawarra Rugby League’s first division in 2024. After going undefeated until the COVID cancellation in 2021 and doing the same only to lose in the grand final last year, the Eagles finally won the title this season, despite dropping just one game … Continue reading Berkeley renaissance bucks Illawarra Rugby League post-COVID decline
By Tallon Smith The Thirroul Butchers have stunned the local rugby league community by taking out the Illawarra Rugby League Premiership with a 24-18 win over two-time defending champions Collegians in the Grand Final at WIN Stadium last Saturday. After facing the serious prospect of missing the finals altogether just a matter of weeks ago as Dapto made a late charge and threatened their spot, … Continue reading Video & Report: Terrific Thirroul take title in instant Illawarra classic
By Tallon Smith The Corrimal Cougars have qualified for their first Reserve Grade Grand Final since 1989 with a 13-12 Preliminary Final win over Collegians at Collegians Sports Complex on Saturday. After making the finals for the first time in 10 years last season, the Cougars have gone another step further this year courtesy of a match winning field goal to captain Josh McConnell in … Continue reading Illawarra Rugby League: Corrimal qualify for Reserve Grade Grand Final for first time in 34 years
By Tallon Smith Collegians have booked their spot in the Illawarra Rugby League Grand Final after recording a 24-6 win over De La Salle in the Major Semi Final at Collegians Sports Stadium on Saturday. The win is an exact reversal of the result of the last time the two sides played in Caringbah two weeks ago, where De La Salle took the leadership of … Continue reading Illawarra Rugby League: Collegians first side into Grand Final after upset win over De La Salle
Battlers For Bush Footy 