Wikipedia

Group 20 Rugby League

Group 20 is a rugby league competition in the region of Griffith, New South Wales, Australia. The competition is played in six grades, with these being Under 16s, Under 18s, Women's League-Tag, Women's Tackle, Reserve Grade and First Grade.

Group 20 Rugby League
SportRugby league
Instituted1954
Number of teams10 (8 in First Grade)
Country Australia
Premiers Darlington Point Coleambally Roosters (2024)
Most titles Griffith Waratahs Tigers (13 titles)
WebsiteGroup 20 Rugby League on facebook

Currently, a home and away season consisting of eighteen rounds is played. The best five teams then play-off according to the McIntyre system, culminating in the Group 20 Grand Final, which is traditionally held at E.W. Moore Oval in Griffith, currently known as Solar Mad Stadium for sponsorship purposes.

The defending premiers are the Leeton Greenies, who won their eighth title in 2023 after finishing the regular season in second place.

History

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Group 20 was established in 1954, as the Wagga Wagga district competition, after many of those clubs left Group 9 and Group 13.

Griffith teams, and others based in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, previously played in both Group 17 and Group 9, prior to various rezonings and redistributions as the code's popularity grew throughout the first half of the 20th century.

The competition initially featured the Griffith, Wagga Kangaroos, Wagga Magpies, Leeton, Narrandera, Yanco, Wamoon, Yenda, Batlow, Tumbarumba, Barellan and Turvey Park clubs.

Murrumbidgee Rugby League

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Lake Cargelligo Football Ground

In 1966, four Group 20 clubs (and a number of Group 9 clubs including Gundagai, Junee and Tumut) broke away from their competitions to form the rebel Murrumbidgee Rugby League broke away from the Country Rugby League, leading to four years of reshuffled boundaries from 1967 to 1970. The Murrumbidgee Rugby League was renamed to Riverina Zone 3 in 1969-70.

Given that a large number of the Group 9 clubs (including Cootamundra, Gundagai, Junee, Tumut) joined the five clubs who broke away from Group 20 to form the new competition (Batlow, Tumbarumba, Turvey Park, Wagga Magpies and Wagga Kangaroos), Group 9 was severely weakened. Therefore, the remaining Group 9 clubs were divided up and put into neighbouring competitions.

Barmedman, Temora and West Wyalong joined from Group 9 during this period, leading to the 9/20 name, with all remaining Group 20 clubs from the original split remaining in that competition. Group 20 history recognises the Group 9/20 Premiership as its official history.

The dispute was settled in 1971, with Barmedman and West Wyalong deciding to stay in Group 20, whilst Temora returned to Group 9. Barmedman moved to the Group 9 Second Division after the 1972 season.

Recent History

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Hay Park Oval No.1

The Darlington Point-Coleambally club won four premierships in the 1980s, with these titles coming in 1980, 1983, 1987 and 1988.

The 1990s were dominated by the Yanco-Wamoon club, who won five consecutive premierships from 1992-1996, including three consecutive victories over the Griffith Waratahs club.

After being a founding member of the league and winning three premierships in 1986, 1991, and 1999, the Narrandera Lizards club were in recess in the 2000, 2002 seasons, spent 2001 in Group 17, rejoined Group 20 in 2003 and 2004 and again went into recess from 2005 till 2011. Narrandera and Yanco-Wamoon briefly merged to form the Bidgee Hurricanes from 2012 to 2014, although the merger collapsed in 2015 and Yanco-Wamoon emerged as a standalone club. Narrandera then re-formed again and moved to the Western Riverina Community Cup in 2018.

The Hay Magpies joined from Group 17 in 2006 after that competition collapsed. Yenda became the first Group 20 side to win the prestigious Clayton Cup as the best team in the state in 2009, when they won their sixth premiership of the decade.

Current clubs

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As of 2023, there are eight clubs in the First Grade competition, three of which are located in the City of Griffith where the competition is based (the Griffith Waratah Tigers, who withdrew from all senior competitions in 2023, still compete in the junior competitions). The size of the towns competing varies in size, from Griffith and Leeton at 25,000 and 11,000 respectively, to Yenda and Yanco at 1,000 and 250 people respectively.

Club Nickname Home Ground Years in Competition No. of Premierships Premiership Years
First Grade Clubs
  Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters Darlington Point Sports Ground; Coleambally Sports Ground 1973–present 5 1980, 1983, 1987–88, 2019
  Griffith Black & White Panthers E.W. Moore Oval, Griffith 1954–present 7 1954, 1958, 1961, 1975, 1990, 1998, 2017
  Griffith Waratah Tigers Griffith Exies Oval 1964–2022, 2024–present 13 1967, 1969, 1971–72, 1976–78, 1985, 2008, 2010, 2014–15, 2018
  Hay Magpies Hay Park Oval 2007–present 0 None
  Leeton Greenies Leeton No. 1 Oval 1954–present 8 1959, 1964, 1966, 1981, 1997, 2007, 2022–23
  Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo Sharks Lake Cargelligo Sports Ground; Tullibigeal Recreation Ground 1971–present 3 1974, 2013, 2016
  West Wyalong Mallee Men Ron Crowe Oval, West Wyalong 1966–present 7 1968, 1970, 1984, 1989, 2005, 2011–12
  Yenda Blueheelers Wade Park, Yenda 1954–present 7 1982, 2001–04, 2006, 2009
Lower Grade Clubs
  Yanco-Wamoon (Reserve Grade) Hawks Yanco Sports Ground 1970–2011, 2015–present 8 1973, 1979, 1992–96, 2000
  Narrandera (Under 16s) Lizards Narrandera Sports Ground 1954–2004, 2024–present 3 1986, 1991, 1999

Map

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Local Area in New South Wales
 
 
45km
30miles
 
 
Yenda
 
West Wyalong
 
Tullibigeal
 
Leeton
 
Hay
 
Griffith
 
Darlington Point
 
Yanco
Locations of the current Group 20 clubs.
 
 
800km
500miles
 
 
Griffith
 
Canberra
 
Sydney
Relation to state & national capitals

Previous clubs

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Club Nickname No. of Premierships Premiership Years Year Exited Moved to
  Barellan Rams 0 None 1950s Moved to Group 17
  Barmedman Clydesdales 0 None 1972 Joined from Group 9 as part of Group 9/20 in 1967, moved to Group 9 Second Division after 1972 season
  Batlow Tigers 0 None 1966 Moved to Murrumbidgee Rugby League in 1966, then Group 13 in 1971
  Bidgee (Narrandera-Yanco-Wamoon) Hurricanes 0 None 2014 Unamalgamated with Narrandera Lizards for Yanco-Wamoon to stand alone in 2015
  Narrandera Lizards 3 1986, 1991, 1999 2000–2002, 2005 Left for Group 17 after the 2000 season, returned in 2003. Disbanded in 2005 before amalgamating with Yanco-Wamoon Hawks to form Bidgee Hurricanes in 2012. After Hurricanes collapsed, reformed in Group 17.
  Temora Dragons 0 None 1970 Joined as part of Group 9/20 in 1967, returned to Group 9
  Tumbarumba Greens 1 1960 1966 Moved to Murrumbidgee Rugby League in 1966, then Group 13 in 1971
  Turvey Park Lions 0 None 1966 Moved to Murrumbidgee Rugby League, then Group 9
  Wagga Wagga Kangaroos 2 1962–63 1966 Moved to Murrumbidgee Rugby League, then Group 9
  Wagga Wagga Magpies 4 1955–57, 1965 1966 Moved to Murrumbidgee Rugby League, then Group 9

First Grade Grand Finals

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Group 20 First Grade Grand Finals
Season Teams Premiers Score Runners-up Coach Barry Hails Medal Referee Venue Report Minor Premiers
1954 8   Griffith 20–9   Wamoon Albert Paul G. Beer Narrandera [1]   Wamoon
1955 8   Wagga Magpies 11–0   Leeton Alan Staunton Mal Brentnall Leeton [2]   Wagga Magpies
1956 7   Wagga Magpies 5–0   Yenda Alan Staunton Jim Stokes Narrandera [3]   Wagga Magpies
1957 10   Wagga Magpies 18–12   Yenda Billy Wilson Len Lamont Narrandera   Wagga Magpies
1958 10   Griffith 16–8   Leeton Ian Johnson Mal Brentnall Narrandera   Leeton
1959 9   Leeton 16–0   Griffith Martin Gallagher Bill Castles Narrandera [4]   Leeton
1960 9   Tumbarumba 13–8   Yenda Don Furner Jack Jewell Narrandera
1961 9   Griffith 19–14   Tumbarumba John Kelly Len Lamont Narrandera
1962   Wagga Kangaroos 14–7   Tumbarumba Greg Hawick J. Livermore Narrandera
1963   Wagga Kangaroos 7–6   Griffith Greg Hawick Tom Blacker Narrandera
1964   Leeton 11–2   Wagga Kangaroos Ron Hopper Jack Jewell Narrandera
1965 10   Wagga Magpies 15–2   Wagga Kangaroos Arthur Summons John Gerber Narrandera
1966   Leeton 24–2   Yenda Bill Sense Barry Maher Griffith Exies
Group 9/20 Premiership
1967 9   Griffith Waratahs 32–2   Leeton Fred Griffiths Darcy O'Connor Griffith Exies
1968 9   West Wyalong 15–4   Griffith Waratahs Ron Crowe Graham Barby Griffith Exies
1969 10   Griffith Waratahs 18–9   Griffith Bob Lanigan Graham Barby Leeton
1970 10   West Wyalong 19–18   Temora Peter Broad Wayne Marshall Griffith Exies
Group 20 Rugby League
1971 9   Griffith Waratahs 13–11   Griffith Reg McCulla Angelo Ramponi Griffith Exies
1972   Griffith Waratahs 8–2   Griffith Kevin Le Jeune Angelo Ramponi Griffith Exies   Griffith Waratahs
1973   Yanco-Wamoon 16–11   TEL United Bill Watson Wayne Marshall Griffith Exies
1974   TEL United 11–8   Griffith Mal Condon Pat McCarten Narrandera   TEL United
1975 9   Griffith 22–7   Yanco-Wamoon Bob Adamson Darcy Romer Narrandera
1976 9   Griffith Waratahs 16–6   Griffith Bob Priest Don Graham Narrandera   Griffith
1977 9   Griffith Waratahs 34–15   Griffith Bob Priest Don Graham Griffith Exies   Griffith Waratahs
1978 9   Griffith Waratahs 29–10   Leeton Bob Priest Don Graham Griffith Exies   Griffith Waratahs
1979 9   Yanco-Wamoon 19–14   Griffith Waratahs Bill Watson Don Graham Leeton   Griffith Waratahs
1980   Darlington Point-Coleambally 16–15   Yanco-Wamoon Geoff Foster Don Graham Leeton
1981   Leeton 30–11   Yenda Ron Pilon Don Graham Leeton   Leeton
1982   Yenda 23–22   West Wyalong Mike Fish Don Graham Leeton   Yenda
1983 9   Darlington Point-Coleambally 25–2   Yenda Geoff Foster Don Graham Yenda [5]   Darlington Point-Coleambally
1984 9   West Wyalong 14–2   Darlington Point-Coleambally Ron Pilon Lance Harrigan Yenda [6]   Darlington Point-Coleambally
1985 8   Griffith Waratahs 20–12   Darlington Point-Coleambally Warren Jowett Ian Moore Narrandera   Darlington Point-Coleambally
1986 9   Narrandera 21–6   West Wyalong Steve Condren Ian Moore Griffith Exies   Narrandera
1987 9   Darlington Point-Coleambally 18–6   Lakes United John Barnhill Ian Moore Yenda   West Wyalong
1988 9   Darlington Point-Coleambally 14–8   West Wyalong John Clune Ian Moore Leeton   Yanco-Wamoon
1989 9   West Wyalong 24–2   Lakes United Mick Lewis Pat McCarten Narrandera   West Wyalong
1990 9   Griffith 22–16   West Wyalong Ray Schaeffer Ian Moore Yenda   Griffith
1991 9   Narrandera 25–23   Griffith Bill Watson Pat McCarten Griffith Exies   Griffith
1992 9   Yanco-Wamoon 18–17   Griffith Wayne Everett Pat McCarten Leeton [7]   Yanco-Wamoon
1993 9   Yanco-Wamoon 14–10   Griffith Waratahs Wayne Everett Pat McCarten Narrandera [8]   Griffith Waratahs
1994 9   Yanco-Wamoon 32–10   Griffith Waratahs John Gutherson Col Patterson Yenda [9]   Yanco-Wamoon
1995 9   Yanco-Wamoon 28–16   Griffith Waratahs Ken Kerr Col Patterson Griffith Exies [10]   Yanco-Wamoon
1996 9   Yanco-Wamoon 21–20   Narrandera Wayne Everett Col Patterson Leeton [11]   Griffith Waratahs
1997 9   Leeton 25–18   Griffith Waratahs Daryl Rando Col Patterson Narrandera [12]   Leeton
1998 9   Griffith 16–12   Yanco-Wamoon Chris Brennan Col Patterson Yenda [13]   Griffith
1999 9   Narrandera 20–18   Griffith Waratahs Willie Wolfgramm Col Patterson Griffith   Narrandera
2000 8   Yanco-Wamoon 39–14   Yenda Roy Jewitt Col Patterson Yanco [14]   Yenda
2001 8   Yenda 28–16   Leeton Trevor Richards Ray Mavroudis Col Patterson West Wyalong [15]   Yenda
2002 8   Yenda 38–18   Leeton Ray Mavroudis Scott Pennell Col Patterson Griffith [16]   Yenda
2003 9   Yenda 33–30   West Wyalong Ray Mavroudis Trevor Richards Col Patterson Griffith   West Wyalong
2004 9   Yenda 18–16   Leeton Ray Mavroudis Sonny Topuola Col Patterson Griffith [17]   Yenda
2005 8   West Wyalong 34–14   Yanco-Wamoon Ryan Prevett Ryan Prevett Col Patterson Griffith [18]   West Wyalong
2006 8   Yenda 26–22   Leeton Paul Lawrence Steve Richards Willie DeValentin Griffith [19]   Yenda
2007 8   Leeton 52–34   Yenda Jody Rudd Linton Price Willie DeValentin Griffith [20]   Leeton
2008 8   Griffith Waratahs 40–36   Yenda Mark Palmer Andrew Fifita Willie DeValentin Griffith [21]   Leeton
2009 8   Yenda 24–20   Griffith Waratahs Andrew Lavaka Trevor Richards Kerry Davy Griffith [22]   Yenda
2010 8   Griffith Waratahs 30–16   Yenda Kodie Charles Ben Jeffery Kerry Davy Griffith [23]   Griffith Waratahs
2011 9   West Wyalong 24–12   Leeton M. Loudon
& W. Jones 		Craig Iverach Willie DeValentin Griffith [24]   West Wyalong
2012 9   West Wyalong 38–10   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo W. Jones &
M. Loudon 		Mark Wood Willie DeValentin Griffith [25][26]   West Wyalong
2013 9   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo 26–10   Leeton Brent Pike Jaden Kelly Mark Stenhouse Griffith [27]   Leeton
2014 9   Griffith Waratahs 22–18   West Wyalong Kose Lelei David Rauluni Mark Stenhouse Griffith   West Wyalong
2015 9   Griffith Waratahs 50–22   Darlington Point-Coleambally Kose Lelei Luke Farmer Mark Stenhouse Griffith [28]   West Wyalong
2016 9   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo 14–8   West Wyalong Tim Ring Tim McAuley Brendon Steele Griffith [29][30]   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
2017 9   Griffith 28–10   Griffith Waratahs Craig Morriss Kodie Charles Max Biles Griffith [31]   Griffith
2018 9   Griffith Waratahs 30–20   Yenda Kose Lelei Kose Lelei Tom Downey Griffith [32][33]   Yenda
2019 9   Darlington Point-Coleambally 30–18   Griffith Waratahs R. McGoldrick
& B. Jeffery 		Ben Jeffery Rod Crowe Griffith [34]   Griffith Waratahs
2020 2020–2021 Seasons cancelled/incomplete due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021   Griffith
2022 9   Leeton 30–10   Darlington Point-Coleambally Hayden Philp Brayden Scarr Rod Crowe Griffith [35][36]   Darlington Point-Coleambally
2023 8   Leeton 28–24   Darlington Point-Coleambally Hayden Philp Beniel Dakunibubului David Milne Griffith [37]   Darlington Point-Coleambally
2024 8   Leeton 28–24   Darlington Point-Coleambally Hayden Philp Beniel Dakunibubului David Milne Griffith [38]   Darlington Point-Coleambally

Ladies League Tag Grand Finals

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Group 20 Ladies League Tag Grand Finals
Season Teams Premiers Score Runners-up Coach Report Minor Premiers
2007   Griffith –   Leeton
2008 9   Leeton 4–2   Griffith Tim Del Guzzo [39][40]   Leeton
2009 9   Leeton 3–0   Griffith Louise Strachan & Isaac Houghton [41]   Leeton
2010 9   Leeton 6–3   Hay Erin Bonetti [42]   Leeton
2011 8   Leeton 10–6   Hay ? & Jackson Goman [43]   Leeton
2012 9   Leeton 16–6   West Wyalong Warren Weir [44]
2013   West Wyalong   Griffith
2014 9   Leeton 8–0   West Wyalong David Warburton [45]   Griffith
2015 9   Hay 12–4   Leeton Rachael Pearson & Neil-John Nisbet [46]   Leeton
2016   Hay 10–0   Leeton ? & Neil John Nisbet [47]
2017 9   Yenda 14–12   Griffith Sam Loaloadravu [48]   Yenda
2018 9   Griffith 36–18   Hay Shailyn Williams [49]   Yenda
2019 9   Yanco-Wamoon 12–4   Leeton Monique Higgins [50]   Yanco-Wamoon
2020 2020–2021 Seasons cancelled/incomplete due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021   Leeton
2022 9   Leeton 18–8   Griffith Daniel Watt [35][36]   Griffith
2023 9   Leeton 18–12   West Wyalong Jade Butler [51]   West Wyalong

Reserve Grade Grand Finals

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Reserve Grade Toby Blunt Cup
Season Teams Premiers Score Runners-up Report Minor Premiers
1954 8   Barellan 7–2   Griffith [1]
1955 8   Griffith 9—2   Wamoon [2]
1956 7   Yanco 11–0   Wagga Magpies [3]
1957 10   Barellan 11–3   Yanco
1958 10   Leeton 14–11   Wagga Kangaroos
1959 9   Wagga Kangaroos 10–6   Leeton [4]
1960 9   Griffith 9–0   Wagga Magpies
1961 9   Wamoon 26–10   Griffith
1962   Leeton 18–8   Tumbarumba
1963   Griffith 22–11   Wagga Magpies
1964   Griffith 5–2   Wagga Magpies
1965 10   Griffith 6–4   Wagga Magpies
1966   Griffith Waratahs 7–4   Leeton
Group 9/20 Premiership
1967 9   West Wyalong 16–11   Griffith
1968 9   Leeton 10–6   West Wyalong
1969 10   Griffith 28–2   Barmedman
1970 10   Griffith 23–4   Temora
Group 20 Rugby League
1971 9   Griffith 31–5   Leeton
1972   Lakes United 11–10   Griffith
1973   Griffith 10–2   Lakes United
1974   Griffith 27–0   Lakes United
1975 9   Griffith 8–5   Lakes United
1976 9   Griffith 13–2   Griffith Waratahs
1977 9   Griffith Waratahs 36–10   West Wyalong
1978 9   Griffith Waratahs 12–10   Griffith
1979 9   Griffith Waratahs 25–8   Griffith
1980   Leeton 17–7   Griffith
1981   Leeton 19–6   Griffith
1982   Griffith Waratahs 18–9   West Wyalong
1983 9   West Wyalong 18–17   Griffith [5]
1984 9   West Wyalong 24–4   Darlington Point-Coleambally [6]
1985 8   West Wyalong 46–10   Griffith Waratahs
1986 9   West Wyalong 22–16   Griffith Waratahs
1987 9   West Wyalong 16–0   Griffith Waratahs
1988 9   Lakes United 17–4   Yanco-Wamoon
1989 9   Yanco-Wamoon 18–7   West Wyalong
1990 9   Leeton 22–18   Griffith
1991 9   Griffith Waratahs 25–10   West Wyalong
1992 9   Griffith 14–13   Griffith Waratahs [7]
1993 9   Griffith Waratahs 42–18   Griffith [8]
1994 9   Griffith Waratahs 19–14   Griffith [9]
1995 9   Griffith Waratahs 24–8   Yenda [10]
1996 9   Griffith Waratahs 24–12   Yenda [11]
1997 9   Leeton 60–2   Griffith [12]
1998 9   Yanco-Wamoon 16–12   Leeton [13]
1999 9   Griffith Waratahs 38–24   Yanco-Wamoon
2000 8   Yenda 28–10   Leeton [14]
2001 8   Leeton 36–10   Griffith [15]
2002 8   Griffith 24–16   Leeton [16]
2003 9   West Wyalong 20–16   Darlington Point-Coleambally
2004 9   Yenda 44–16   Griffith Waratahs [17]
2005 8   Leeton 18–4   Yanco-Wamoon [18]
2006 8   Leeton 22–14   Griffith Waratahs [19]
2007 8   Yenda 38–12   Griffith Waratahs [20]
2008 8   Darlington Point-Coleambally 28–22   Yenda [21]
2009 8   Hay 28–26   Griffith [22]
2010 8   Griffith Waratahs 26–24   Yenda [23]
2011 9   Yenda 28–22   West Wyalong [24]
2012 9   West Wyalong 18–6   Leeton [25][26]
2013 9   West Wyalong 38–34   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo [27]
2014 9   West Wyalong 22–4   Griffith
2015 9   West Wyalong 28–24   Griffith [28]
2016 9   Griffith Waratahs 12–10   Darlington Point-Coleambally [29][30]
2017 9   Leeton 18–6   Yanco-Wamoon [31]
2018 9   Griffith Waratahs 24–14   Yenda [32][33]
2019 9   Darlington Point-Coleambally 18–10   Leeton [34]
2020
2020–2021 Seasons cancelled/incomplete due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021   Yenda
2022 7   Yenda 40–8

  Darlington Point-Coleambally

[35][36]   Yenda
2023 6   Yenda 26–4

  Leeton

[51]   Yenda

Under 18's Grand Finals

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Under 18 Harold Eckley Cup
Season Teams Premiers Score Runners-up Report Minor Premiers
1954   Wagga Magpies 11–6   Griffith [1]
1955   Griffith 6–0   Narrandera [2]
1956   Griffith 6–3   Leeton [3]
1957   Griffith 19–8   Wagga Magpies
1958   Griffith 14–0   Wamoon
1959   Griffith 9–5   Wagga Magpies [4]
1960   Griffith 21–0   Leeton
1961   Leeton 12–5   Wagga Kangaroos
1962   Wagga Magpies 17–11   Wagga Kangaroos
1963   Wagga Kangaroos 13–3   Yenda
1964   Wagga Kangaroos 2–0   Yenda
1965   Wagga Kangaroos 13–3   Leeton
1966   Griffith 19–8   Leeton
Group 9/20 Premiership
1967   Griffith Waratahs 25–2   Temora
1968   Griffith 16–15   Temora
1969   Griffith Waratahs 14–6   West Wyalong
1970   Griffith Waratahs 15–0   Griffith
Group 20 Rugby League
1971   Griffith 17–9   Griffith Waratahs
1972   Griffith 21–0   Griffith Waratahs
1973   Griffith Waratahs 10–7   Griffith
1974   Leeton 15–8   Griffith Waratahs
1975   Griffith Waratahs 16–5   Griffith
1976   Griffith 25–0   Griffith Waratahs
1977   Griffith 21–21   Leeton
(replay)   Griffith 10–5   Leeton
1978   Griffith Waratahs 15–7   Griffith
1979   Griffith Waratahs 10–0   Leeton
1980   Leeton 16–7   West Wyalong
1981   West Wyalong 19–5   Darlington Point-Coleambally
1982   Leeton ?   Griffith
1983   Leeton 34–10   Darlington Point-Coleambally [5]
1984   Lakes United 10–10   West Wyalong [6]
(replay)   Lakes United 22–8   West Wyalong
1985   Narrandera 22–10   Griffith
1986   Lakes United 16–14   Griffith Waratahs
1987   Darlington Point-Coleambally 12–4   Leeton
1988   Leeton 32–22   Lakes United
1989   Yanco-Wamoon 20–12   Griffith Waratahs
1990   Yanco-Wamoon 20–18   Leeton
1991   Leeton 22–10   Yanco-Wamoon
1992   Leeton 22–20   Yanco-Wamoon [7]
1993   Lakes United 16–10   Leeton [8]
1994   Yanco-Wamoon 42–12   Lakes United [9]
1995   Yanco-Wamoon 38–8   Griffith [10]
1996   Yanco-Wamoon 28–14   Leeton [11]
1997   Yanco-Wamoon 30–14   Griffith [12]
1998   Griffith Waratahs 30–19   Lakes United [13]
1999   West Wyalong 26–12   Griffith Waratahs
2000   West Wyalong 14–6   Leeton [14]
2001   Yanco-Wamoon 30–14   Leeton [15]
2002   Griffith Waratahs 44–22   Lakes United [16]
2003   Leeton 26–25   West Wyalong
2004   Griffith 40–22   Griffith Waratahs [17]
2005   Griffith Waratahs 42–28   Darlington Point-Coleambally [18]
2006   Griffith Waratahs 58–4   Leeton [19]
2007   Griffith Waratahs 28–22   Leeton [20]
2008   West Wyalong 40–34   Griffith Waratahs [21]
2009   Yanco-Wamoon 50–12   Griffith Waratahs [22]
2010   Hay 22–18   Griffith Waratahs [23]
2011   Leeton 28–22   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo [24]
2012   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo 24–22   Bidgee Hurricanes [25][26]
2013   Bidgee Hurricanes 28–20   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo [27]
2014   Griffith Waratahs 34–24   Leeton
2015   Leeton 24–14   Yanco-Wamoon [28]
2016   Yenda 8–6   Darlington Point-Coleambally [29][30]
2017   Griffith 28–22   Yanco-Wamoon [31]
2018   Yanco-Wamoon 24–22   Leeton [32][33]
2019   Yenda 24–20   Darlington Point-Coleambally [34]
2020
2020–2021 Seasons cancelled/incomplete due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021   Yenda
2022 5   Leeton 20–18

  Griffith

[35][36]   Griffith
2023 3   Griffith 38–14   Leeton [51]   Leeton

Under 16's Grand Finals

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Under 16 Aub Farrell Trophy
Season Teams Premiers Score Runners-up Report Minor Premiers
Group 9/20 Premiership
1968   Griffith Waratahs 30–9   West Wyalong
1969   Griffith Waratahs 24–19   Griffith
1970   Griffith 5–3   Griffith Waratahs
Group 20 Rugby League
1971   West Wyalong 12–0   Griffith Waratahs
1972   Griffith Waratahs 15–10   Leeton
1973   Griffith Waratahs 22–5   West Wyalong
1974   West Wyalong 19–5   Griffith
1975   Griffith 10–6   Griffith Waratahs
1976   Griffith 8–3   Darlington Point-Coleambally
1977   Griffith Waratahs 31–7   Darlington Point-Coleambally
1978   Leeton 21–9   Darlington Point-Coleambally
1979   Narrandera 24–8   Darlington Point-Coleambally
1980   Griffith 18–5   Leeton
1981   Darlington Point-Coleambally 10–5   Leeton
1982   West Wyalong 20–8   Darlington Point-Coleambally
1983   Griffith 12–10   Lakes United [5]
1984   Griffith Waratahs 16–10   Lakes United [6]
1985   Leeton 14–10   Yanco-Wamoon
1986   Narrandera 12–9   Leeton
1987   Yanco-Wamoon 10–0   Griffith Waratahs
1988   Griffith Waratahs 16–6   Yanco-Wamoon
1989   Leeton 41–4   Yanco-Wamoon
1990   Yanco-Wamoon 21–8   Narrandera
1991   Leeton 18–8   Narrandera
1992   Lakes United 18–12   Narrandera [7]
1993   West Wyalong 14–10   Darlington Point-Coleambally [8]
1994   Yanco-Wamoon 18–12   Leeton [9]
1995   Yenda 24–18   Yanco-Wamoon [10]
1996   Yanco-Wamoon 26–8   Leeton [11]
1997   Leeton 12–10   Yanco-Wamoon [12]
1998   Yanco-Wamoon 20–10   Leeton [13]
1999   Yanco-Wamoon 20–16   Leeton
2000   Griffith Waratahs 34–16   Lakes United [14]
2001   Leeton 26–10   Griffith [15]
2002   Griffith Waratahs 18–16   Griffith [16]
2003   Griffith Waratahs 44–0   Griffith
2004   Griffith Waratahs 46–34   Yanco-Wamoon [17]
2005   Yenda 34–12   Griffith Waratahs [18]
2006   Leeton 49–18   Griffith Waratahs [19]
2007   Griffith Waratahs 27–20   West Wyalong [20]
2008   Griffith Waratahs 26–16   Leeton [21]
2009   Griffith Waratahs 40–36 AET   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo [22]
2010   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo 26–24   Griffith Waratahs [23]
2011   Darlington Point-Coleambally 28–16   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo [24]
2012   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo 18–14   Darlington Point-Coleambally [25][26]
2013   Darlington Point-Coleambally 30–28   Leeton [27]
2014   Darlington Point-Coleambally 32–12   Yenda
2015   Yenda 22–12   Leeton [28]
2016   Leeton 14–10   Yanco-Wamoon [29][30]
2017   Leeton 36–8   Yanco-Wamoon [31]
2018   Yenda 30–20   Yanco-Wamoon [32][33]
2019   Yenda 34–10   West Wyalong [34]
2020
2020–2021 Seasons cancelled/incomplete due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021   Griffith
2022 5   Leeton 30–6   Yenda [35][36]   Griffith
2023 4   Griffith 20–16   Leeton [51]   Griffith

Group 20 Awards

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Ray Thorpe Medal

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Year Player of the Year
Player Club
1956 Keith Jack   Leeton
1957 R. Bowden   Batlow
1958 Bill Myers   Wamoon
1959 Alan Buckley   Batlow
1960 Rob Campbell   Leeton
1961
1962
1963 Reg Cooper   Griffith
1964 Rob Campbell   Leeton
1965 Bill Lockett   Yenda
1966 Rob Campbell   Leeton
1967 Rob Campbell   Leeton
1968 Greg Hay   Griffith
1969
1970 Kevin Hodgson   Darlington Point
1971 Ron Crowe   Barmedman
1972
1973 Harry Sanson   TEL United
1974 Bob Adamson   Narrandera
1975 Andy Kelly   Narrandera
1976 Peter Broad   West Wyalong
1977 Terry Regan   Griffith
1978 Keith Outten

Mick Curren

  Yanco-Wamoon

  Leeton

1979 Andy Kelly   Narrandera
1980 Michael Bourke   West Wyalong
1981 Geoff Foster

Paul Colenso

  Darlington Point-Coleambally

  Leeton

1982 Ron Pilon   West Wyalong
1983 Paul Colenso   Leeton
1984 Bob Sheridan

Billy Arnold

Chris Tindale

  Yanco-Wamoon

  Leeton

  Narrandera

1985 David Ivanoff   Narrandera
1986 Col Cavanagh   Yenda
1987 Ray Thorpe   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
1988 Col Cavanagh   Yenda
1989 Glen Dawson   Griffith
1990 Ray Thorpe   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
1991 Wayne Everett

Glen Dawson

  Yanco-Wamoon

  Griffith

1992 Chris Marland   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
1993 Chris Marland   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
1994 Darren Tuckett

Tony Moers

  Yanco-Wamoon

  Griffith Waratahs

1995 Ray Thorpe

David Blomfield

  Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo

  Griffith

1996 Sonny Topuola   Narrandera
1997 Ray Thorpe   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
1998 Chris Richards   Yenda
1999 Brendan De Paoli   Leeton
2000 Warren Weir   Yanco-Wamoon
2001 Chris Richards   Yenda
2002 Greg Borger   Darlington Point-Coleambally
2003 Trent Lord

Steve Richards

  Narrandera

  Yenda

2004 Chris Richards   Yenda
2005 Trevor Richards

Franky Fiumara

Jason Fuller

  Yenda

  Leeton

  Griffith

2006 Trevor Richards   Yenda
2007 Linton Price   Leeton
2008 Nathan Morris   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
2009 David Rauluni   Griffith Waratahs
2010 Dwayne Simpson

Jaden Kelly

  Griffith Waratahs

  Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo

2011 Andrew Lavaka   Yenda
2012 Chris Bamford   Bidgee Hurricanes
2013 Brent Pike   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
2014 Jaden Kelly   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
2015 Glenn Dumbrell   Yanco-Wamoon
2016 Glenn Dumbrell   Yanco-Wamoon
2017 Kose Lelei   Griffith Waratahs
2018 Jaden Kelly   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
2019 Hayden Philp   Leeton
2020 Not Awarded due to COVID-19 Pandemic
2021
2022 Hayden Philp

Braiden Jones

  Leeton

  West Wyalong

2023 Guy Thompson-Collier   Darlington Point-Coleambally

Ian Herd Memorial Rookie of the Year

edit
Year Rookie of the Year
Player Club
1989 Brad Vivian

Barry Smith

  Darlington Point-Coleambally

  Narrandera

1990 Jason Boots

Glen Schmetzer

  Yanco-Wamoon

  Yanco-Wamoon

1991 Paul Kelly   Darlington Point-Coleambally
1992 Shane McCahon   West Wyalong
1993 Jason Richards   Griffith
1994 Greg Bradshaw   Leeton
1995 Martin Pettit   West Wyalong
1996 Simon Bonetti   Griffith
1997 Ryan Dissegna   Yanco-Wamoon
1998 Gary Johnson   Griffith
1999 Adam Sanson   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
2000 Aaron Wheatley   West Wyalong
2001 Tony Hayward   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
2002 Franky Fiumara   Leeton
2003 Greg Bonetti   Griffith
2004 Clinton Green   Leeton
2005 Jarred Carruthers   West Wyalong
2006 Jack Mitchell   Darlington Point-Coleambally
2007 Michael Mogliotti   Griffith
2008 Nathan Morris   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
2009 Michael Vitucci   Griffith Waratahs
2010 Mitchell Blackstock   West Wyalong
2011 Travis Lightfoot   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
2012 Drew Hopwood   Darlington Point-Coleambally
2013 Gregg Staines   Bidgee Hurricanes
2014 Dylan Hately   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
2015 Nathan Cauduro   Yenda
2016 Ben Vearing   Griffith Waratahs
2017 Matt Kelly   Darlington Point-Coleambally
2018 Lincon Kirby   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
2019 William Barnes   Yanco-Wamoon
2020 Not Awarded due to COVID-19 Pandemic
2021
2022 Elvis Nauer-Wood   Yenda
2023 Samuel Burley   Yenda

Rising Star Award

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Year Rookie of the Year
Player Club
2003 David Milne   Griffith
2004 Chris Borgese   Leeton
2005 Brady Watt   Leeton
2006 Noa Fotu   Leeton
2007 Sam Basham   West Wyalong
2008 Kye Longford   Leeton
2009 Glenn Dumbrell   Yanco-Wamoon
2010 Jayden Clarke   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
2011 Lorenco Tafili   Griffith Waratahs
2012 Dylan Hately   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
2013 Shorne Ngu   Yenda
2014 Billy Gilbert   Leeton
2015 Zac Saddler   Leeton
2016 Jermaine Cook   Yenda
2017 Blake Wood   Yenda
2018 Ziggie Vincent

Ben Arandt

  Griffith

  Hay

2019 Kirtis Fisher   Leeton
2020 Not Awarded due to COVID-19 Pandemic
2021
2022 Chaise Sergi   Griffith
2023 Beniel Qereqeretabua   Leeton

Club Championship

edit
Year Club
1975   Griffith
1976   Griffith
1977   Griffith Waratahs
1978   Griffith Waratahs
1979   Griffith Waratahs
1980   Darlington Point-Coleambally
1981   Leeton
1982   Griffith
1983   West Wyalong
1984   West Wyalong
1985   Griffith Waratahs
1986   Leeton
1987   Griffith Waratahs
1988   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo
1989   Yanco-Wamoon
1990   Griffith
1991   Leeton
1992   Griffith Waratahs
1993   Griffith Waratahs
1994   Griffith Waratahs
1995   Yanco-Wamoon
1996   Griffith Waratahs
1997   Leeton
1998   Leeton
1999   Griffith Waratahs
2000   Leeton
2001   Leeton
2002   Leeton
2003   West Wyalong
2004   Leeton
2005   Leeton
2006   Leeton
2007   Leeton
2008   Leeton
2009   Leeton
2010   Yenda
2011   Yenda
2012   Leeton
2013   Leeton
2014   Leeton &   West Wyalong
2015   Darlington Point-Coleambally
2016   Leeton
2017   Griffith
2018   Yenda
2019   West Wyalong
2020 Not Awarded due to COVID-19 Pandemic
2021
2022   Griffith
2023   Leeton

Juniors

edit

Group 20 Junior Rugby League

edit
  •   Coleambally-Darlington Point JRL
  •   Griffith Waratahs Tigers Juniors
  •   Griffith Panthers JRL
  •   Hay Magpies JRL
  •   Leeton Raiders JRL
  •   Narrandera Lizards (Seniors are in Group 17)
  •   Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo Sharks JRL
  •   Yenda Blueheelers JRL

Juniors playing in NRL

edit

Griffith

Griffith Waratahs

Leeton

Narrandera

Yanco

Sources

edit
Years Item Via
1967–69, 1971–96 Country Rugby League Annual Report State Library of New South Wales
1983 to 2005 The Area News Microfilm copies at State Library of NSW
2008 to 2019 The Area News NewsBank, by proxy through State Library of NSW
2008 to 2019 The Irrigator NewsBank, by proxy through State Library of NSW
1970 to 2001 Rugby League Week Bound copies at State Library of NSW
2002 to 2015 Rugby League Week eResources at State Library of NSW
2018 to 2019 Various Newspaper Websites As referenced
2023 to present Battlers For Bush Footy As referenced

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "M.I.A.S Biggest R.L Crowd Saw Griffith Win Final". The Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga). Wagga: National Library of Australia. 16 August 1954. p. 6. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Magpies Down Leeton in Rough Premiership". Murrumbidgee Irrigator. 4 October 1955.
  3. ^ a b c "Wagga Magpies Premiers Again". Murrumbidgee Irrigator. 2 October 1956.
  4. ^ a b c "Leeton Group 20 Premiers". Murrumbidgee Irrigator. 22 September 1959. p. 1.
  5. ^ a b c d "Foster's Winning Finale". The Area News. 13 September 1983. p. 20.
  6. ^ a b c d "14 Year Wait Ends For Pilon". The Area News. 18 September 1984. p. 28.
  7. ^ a b c d Nolan, Kate (15 August 1992). "Griffith downed in a thriller - Injury allows Yanco to get back in game". The Area News. p. 20.
  8. ^ a b c d Nolan, Kate (13 September 1993). "Twice as nice". The Area News. p. 1.
  9. ^ a b c d McGill, Damian (12 September 1994). "Another cup for the cupboard". The Area News. p. 1.
  10. ^ a b c d "Hawks make Group 20 history". The Area News. 11 September 1995. p. 1.
  11. ^ a b c d "Hawks win fifth - just". The Area News. 16 September 1996. p. 28.
  12. ^ a b c d "Leeton ends a 16 year premiership drought". The Area News. 15 September 1997. p. 28.
  13. ^ a b c d White, David (21 September 1998). "Griffith Black & Whites' 16-12 victory". The Area News. p. 1.
  14. ^ a b c d Whitelaw, Anya (21 August 2000). "The first win is the sweetest - Hawks save the best until last to triumph over Yenda". The Area News. p. 24.
  15. ^ a b c d Kroek, Rebecca (3 September 2001). "Blueheelers brilliance". The Area News. p. 24.
  16. ^ a b c d Pratt, James (19 September 2002). "Yenda victorious again". The Area News. p. 24.
  17. ^ a b c d Uhr, Grace (20 September 2004). "Yenda make it four - Blueheelers defeat Greenies in an 18-16 grand final thriller". The Area News. p. 24.
  18. ^ a b c d Malone, Matt (19 September 2005). "Malleemen charge to historic title win". The Area News. p. 28.
  19. ^ a b c d Logue, Matt. "Redemption". Rugby League Week (20/09/2006). Sydney: Bauer Media Group.
  20. ^ a b c d "Group Twenty 2007 Grand Final". YouTube. 28 December 2009 [2007]. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  21. ^ a b c d Hazlewood, Scott (14 September 2008). "Drought Over". The Area News.
  22. ^ a b c d Hazlewood, Scott (14 September 2009). "Year of the Dog - Yenda caps undefeated season with premiership". The Area News. p. 28.
  23. ^ a b c d Hazlewood, Scott (12 September 2010). "Welcome to tiger town". The Area News.
  24. ^ a b c d Hazlewood, Scott (19 September 2011). "Rugby league - West Wyalong 24 - Leeton 12". The Area News. p. 24.
  25. ^ a b c d Hazelwood, Scott (17 September 2012). "Mallee Men march to second consecutive Group 20 flag". The Area News. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  26. ^ a b c d Foscarini, Dean (17 December 2013) [2012]. "2012 Group 20 Grand Final in Griffith 17 September 2012". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  27. ^ a b c d Rugari, Vince (23 September 2013). "Sharks celebrate first Group 20 title in 39 years". The Area News. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  28. ^ a b c d Piva, Andrew (27 September 2015). "Griffith Waratah Tigers win Group 20 premiership". The Area News. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  29. ^ a b c d "Group 20 grand finals 2016 - Mega gallery and videos". The Area News. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  30. ^ a b c d Ratcliff, Ali (19 September 2016). "1st Grade Grand Final". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  31. ^ a b c d Ratcliff, Ali (19 September 2017). "First Grade". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  32. ^ a b c d Warren, Liam (16 September 2018). "Waratahs defeat Yenda in the Group 20 first grade decider". Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  33. ^ a b c d Ratcliff, Ali (17 September 2018). "X Gold Grand Final 1st Grade". YouTube. Australian Broadcasting Commission. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  34. ^ a b c d Warren, Liam (8 September 2019). "Darlington Point Coleambally defeat Waratahs in Group 20 first grade". Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  35. ^ a b c d e Leeton vs D P C 1st Grade Grand Final, retrieved 27 January 2023
  36. ^ a b c d e "Group 20 Grand final: Leeton claim premiership". The Area News. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  37. ^ Smith, Tallon (18 September 2023). "Group 20: Leeton go back to back for first time since 1934 with win over DPC". Battlers For Bush Footy. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  38. ^ Smith, Tallon (18 September 2023). "Group 20: Leeton go back to back for first time since 1934 with win over DPC". Battlers For Bush Footy. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  39. ^ Pearson, Nick (14 September 2008). "Greens too good for fatigued rivals". The Area News.
  40. ^ Lang, Josh (15 September 2008). "Greens celebration". Irrigator.
  41. ^ Lang, Josh (14 September 2009). "Greens' great year". Irrigator.
  42. ^ Lang, Josh (13 September 2010). "Go Green Machine - Leeton's league tag reign continues". Irrigator.
  43. ^ Tinker, Emily (19 September 2011). "Leaguetag - Leeton Greens 10 - Hay 6". The Area News. p. 21.
  44. ^ Gray, John (17 September 2012). "Greens gallop to fifth straight title". Irrigator.
  45. ^ "A gritty defensive effort set up Leeton's 8-0 victory". The Area News. 22 September 2014. p. 21.
  46. ^ "Hay reign supreme in league tag final". The Area News. 27 September 2015.
  47. ^ "Hay go back-to-back with shutout victory". The Area News. 19 September 2016. p. 16.
  48. ^ Coates, Jessica (18 September 2017). "Yenda triumphs in league tag grand final". The Area News.
  49. ^ Ratcliff, Ali (17 September 2018). "XXXX Gold League Tag Grand Final". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  50. ^ Ratcliff, Ali (9 September 2019). "League Tag Grand Final". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  51. ^ a b c d Smith, Tallon (19 September 2023). "Group 20 League Tag & Lower Grades: Leeton, Yenda, Griffith Black and Whites take titles". Battlers For Bush Footy. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
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