Celebration for the Barraba Bulldogs
Barraba Bulldogs Celebrate a Successful Return in 2026
Barraba Rugby League Football Club celebrated the end of a remarkable 2026 season with a successful Presentation Night on Saturday, recognising the players, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped bring rugby league back to Barraba.
After a five-year absence, 2026 marked an important new chapter for the Bulldogs, with the Club proudly fielding First Grade, Reserve Grade and Ladies League Tag teams.
The Presentation Night brought together players, families, sponsors, volunteers and supporters to celebrate the achievements of all three teams and recognise the many people who worked behind the scenes throughout the year.
There were plenty of achievements to celebrate across the three grades.
In First Grade, Zac Mallise capped off an outstanding season by being named Best & Fairest and Players Player, as well as finishing as the team's Highest Try Scorer with seven tries.
In Reserve Grade, Ben Spencer and Cooper Boyd shared both the Best & Fairest and Players Player awards, while Daniel Earl and Jack Hillier finished equal as the team's Highest Try Scorers with six tries each.
Brooke McKinnon enjoyed an exceptional season in Ladies League Tag, receiving the Best & Fairest and Players Player awards, as well as being the Bulldogs' Highest Try Scorer with 17 tries and Highest Point Scorer with 92 points. Brooke's achievements extended beyond the Club, with her 92 points also earning her the 2026 Group 19 Ladies League Tag Highest Points Scorer title.
The evening also saw Alison Ward and Ralph Starr recognised as Life Members of Barraba Rugby League Football Club, acknowledging their longstanding contributions to the Club.
Steve Ward was awarded the Richard "Fritter" Jennar Memorial Trophy as Club Person of the Year, recognising his contribution and commitment to the Bulldogs throughout the season.
The evening also provided an opportunity to recognise some of the Club's history and the families behind its long-standing memorial trophies.
Ronda Simmons presented the Neville Claydon Memorial Trophy for Consistent Low Tackler in First Grade to Jack Coombes. Ronda spoke about her father's proud history with the Bulldogs, including his role in re-establishing the Club in 1972 and his many years of service as Club President. Her words were a special reminder of the generations of people who have worked to keep rugby league alive in Barraba.
Jeanette Hillier, on behalf of the Mallise family, made presentations of trophies honouring the Mallise family's connection with the Club. These included the Greg "BULL" Mallise Mug Players Player awards for both Grade and Reserve Grade, and the Len Mallise Memorial Trophy for First Grade Highest Point Scorer, which was awarded to Joey Latham with 58 points.
These are just some of the awards and memorial trophies that are an important part of the Bulldogs' history, connecting the achievements of today's players with the people and families who have contributed to the Club over many years.
$15,000 donated to Barraba Palliative Care
One of the proudest moments of the evening was the presentation of a $15,000 cheque to Jenny Simpson on behalf of the Barraba Palliative Care Hospital Auxiliary.
The funds were raised through the Club's Ladies Day in July, held in memory of Kerry Spence-Starr and Jacqui Spence. The tremendous fundraising result reflects not only the generosity of those who supported Ladies Day, but also the Bulldogs' commitment to giving back to the community that has supported the Club so strongly.
Barraba Rugby League Football Club sincerely thanks everyone who donated, attended, volunteered or otherwise contributed to making Ladies Day such a success and helping the Club make this significant donation.
Looking Ahead to 2027 – AGM Announced
With a successful comeback season now complete, the Bulldogs are already looking towards 2027 and continuing to build on the foundations established this year.
The Barraba Rugby League Football Club Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday 18 October 2026 12.00 pm Barraba Bowling Club. All Committee and coaching positions will be declared vacant.
The Club strongly encourages all members of the Barraba community who would like to be part of the Bulldogs in 2027 to attend. You don't need to have played rugby league or have previous committee experience. Whether you can take on a committee position, volunteer your time, bring new ideas to the Club or simply want to help keep rugby league strong in Barraba, we would love to have you involved.
The success of 2026 has shown what can be achieved when players, volunteers, sponsors and the wider Barraba community come together. After five years without senior rugby league, having three Bulldogs teams take the field in 2026 was an achievement everyone involved with the Club can be proud of.
Thank you, Barraba, for getting behind the Bulldogs in 2026. We look forward to building on this year's success and making 2027 even bigger and better.