By Tallon Smith Down on the Murray in Albury, the sporting landscape is much different to the rest of the state. Despite being in New South Wales, the town is more culturally aligned with Victoria, and this shows in the football code which dominates the town. However, despite the slight favouritism towards the Victorian game, and the domination of the Albury Thunder as the city’s … Continue reading Club Spotlight: The Rise of the Mud Dogs
By Tallon Smith On the South Coast, where the waves roll in on to pristine beaches, lies the town of Narooma. Home to around 3,000 people, the town lies on the traditional lands of the Yuin people, near to the island of Baranguba (Montague Island) with its historic lighthouse. The local rugby league side, the Narooma Devils, were founded in 1929 and play in Group … Continue reading Club Spotlight: Narooma Devils
By Tallon Smith Nestled in the Hilltops region, east of Temora on the road to Yass, are the twin towns of Harden and Murrumburrah. Established in 1824 and located on the lands of the Wiradjuri people, the towns are home to the Harden-Murrumburrah RLFC, who were themselves founded in 1921 and are more commonly known as the Harden Hawks. Formerly of Group 9, the Hawks … Continue reading Club Spotlight: Harden Hawks (and an important fundraiser)
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
by Tallon Smith (20/04/2022) South of Sydney, where Lake Illawarra and the picturesque Tasman Sea meet the urban sprawl south of Wollongong, is rugby league heartland. This is Group 7 territory, the area with the 6th highest combined rugby league participation rate in NSW, a feat made all the more impressive when its population catchment is compared to some larger NSWRL jurisdictions. And boy, are … Continue reading SPOTLIGHT: Group 7 Rugby League
by Tallon Smith (12/04/2022) 700km North-West of Sydney, where the plains turn to a dusty landscape, a Rugby League oasis centred around the Barwon-Darling River continues to nurture rich talent and keep the ‘greatest game of all’ alive. The Barwon Darling Rugby League, created around 20 years ago after the collapse of Group 15 in 1992, allows Far North West towns to continue to play … Continue reading SPOTLIGHT: Out on the Dry Plains
by Tallon Smith Out in the parched semi-arid plains west stretching from the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area to the Central Darling Shire and beyond, a competition has proved that age, distance, finances, past misdemeanours and the prolonged decline of rural towns is no barrier to footy. In fact, the people of Barellan, Goolgowi, Hillston, Ivanhoe, Narrandera and Rankins Springs believe that those factors make footy all … Continue reading SPOTLIGHT: EVERY ROUND IS MAGIC ROUND
Battlers For Bush Footy 