Sport
5 June, 2025
Mallee Men on the board on weekend with derbies galore
WWRLFC clean sweep over TLU
THE West Wyalong Mallee Men have secured their first competition points of the 2025 Group 20 First Grade season after a 30-18 victory over local rivals Tullibigeal-Lakes United at Ron Crowe Oval on Sunday.
Five tries, scored by Callan Blackstock, Max Lawson, Chris Judd, Shane Phillips and Cruze Loudon were enough to see the Mallee Men overcome a Sharks side without star half Jaden Kelly and emerge victorious for the first time this season.
West Wyalong President Matt Goodwin told Battlers For Bush Footy that the victory meant a lot to the people in and around the club in what has been a tough campaign.
“It was certainly a different atmosphere in the sheds as always when you win,” he said.
“The First Grade was 6-12 at half time [TLU’s way], it wasn’t until later in the game that Lakes scored a few tries, and we scored a couple more.
“It was a good game from both sides.”
After one of the toughest starts to a season in the proud club’s 114-year history, Goodwin praised those holding the fort in 2025, while revealing plans are underway to bolster the club’s stocks with some outside talent in key positions for 2026.
“We’re trying to negotiate with some people, for this year and next year,” he said.
“We’re planning and trying to secure an outside coach and a couple of extra players, we don’t need many, just a couple of front rowers and back rowers.
“It’s been a struggle, there’s no doubt about that.
“We’re not going to give up the fight, we've just got to keep battling on.”
One highlight of the day was the fact that all three of the club’s sides won at home, with the Mallee Chicks taking the win by the same margin as the men (30-18), while the club’s Under 18s secured a last-gasp 22-18 victory over the Sharks.
“It was really good for the town, the 18s were happy because they hadn’t played in [a while],” Goodwin said.
“They’re going good, the girls are going good, and to get a win in the First Grade it's even better.”
West Wyalong’s next task is a clash with the Black and Whites after the general bye.
The Leeton Greenies escaped with a 28-24 win over arch rivals Yanco-Wamoon at the Yanco Sports Ground on Saturday.
In a spiteful encounter where both sides had players sent off, it was Leeton who emerged victorious, scoring five tries to four, with Blake McDonald crossing for the matchwinner.
The win sees Leeton leapfrog Yanco into outright second, adding an extra layer to the local bragging rights earnt through the victory.
Yenda and Black and Whites continued the derby flavour of the weekend at Wade Park, with a healthy crowd present to see the Blueheelers emerge victorious courtesy of a 30-10 win.
After a strong performance before the bye which was praised by coach Kodie Charles, the Black and Whites ran into a red hot Yenda team that piled on five tries for a comfortable victory.
Isaiah Potts and Charlie Tiaina continued their recent good form, with the pair again headlining the list of try scorers in the match with a double each.
Finally, the Griffith Waratah Tigers remain undefeated after seven rounds courtesy of a 30-22 win over the Hay Magpies at the Hay Park Oval.
Winger Ulu Akolo starred for the Waratahs with a hat-trick of tries to go with three goals for 18 personal points on the day.
Meanwhile, it was yet another case of a close home loss for the Magpies, after their two of their three previous home matches against DPC and Yenda (albeit controversially) also saw the side go down by narrow margins on their home turf.
Tallon Smith
Journalist - Battlers For Bush Footy
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