Drew Arabin, Riley Manwaring, Jack Nichols and Steve Anderson.
Harden-Murrumburrah’s rugby league teams have made a flying start to the 2026 Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield season, with both the men’s Harden Hawks and women’s Hawkettes (League Tag) posting dominant early results and signalling strong title ambitions.
Hawks Off to a Strong Start
The men’s side sits among the competition frontrunners after two commanding victories. In Round 1 they accounted for the Googong Goannas, before delivering a 38-0 shutout of the Snowy River Bears in Round 2. They followed up with a 50-6 triumph over Googong, taking their season tally to 88-6 across the opening matches.
Six different try-scorers featured in the most recent win against Googong, high
lighted by a double from veteran Nathan Schofield, who turned back the clock with a strong performance at fullback. Jacob Lucas was deadly with the boot, landing five conversions. Coach Nick Hall praised the side’s defensive resolve while calling for continued improvement in attack and combinations.
Hall noted the return of experienced campaigners including Tyson Astill and Matt Holmes in the forwards, adding steel to the pack. “Defensively we’re pretty tough and sound,” Hall said. “We’re not the finished product… but it’s good.”
The Hawks hosted old rivals Bungendore Tigers at McLean Oval on May 2 after the ANZAC Day bye and put them to the sword.
Harden went to Canberra and accounted for the struggling UC Stars 51-12 with Riley Manwaring scoring 4 tries. Zakaia Lewis hit 7 from 7 conversions.
The following week, Harden were far too good for the Snowy River Bears at McLean on Saturday with a 38-0 win.
Harden sit atop the ladder with 4 wins from 4 attempts and it will be defence that keeps them there with a differential of 169. For 193 against 24.
Riley Manwaring has shot to the top of the try scoring tally with 11 in the 4 matches well clear of the next player in Crookwells’ Jayden Aramoana on 6.
Hawkettes Dominant in League Tag
The Hawkettes have been even more prolific, racking up eye-watering scores in the women’s League Tag. Georgia Smith starred with 4 tries in the Round 1 win over Googong (50-6) and added three more in the 48-0 victory against Snowy River in Round 2. Emma James contributed seven goals in the latter match.
The side has built on a strong recent history, including multiple premierships in the George Tooke Shield League Tag competition. With lethal finishing and clinical goal-kicking, they look poised for another deep finals run.
Ladder Context and Outlook
Official competition stats and the full ladder for 2026 remain in the early stages of updating on the Play Rugby League platform, but Harden’s results place both teams in strong positions early in what promises to be a competitive season featuring improved outfits from North Canberra, Crookwell, a struggling Bungendorwho will improve and and Boorowa the dark horse.
Harden’s blend of returning locals, defensive steel, and attacking flair has fans optimistic. As Hall emphasised, consistency at training and sharpening attacking systems will be key as the season progresses.
The Hawks and Hawkettes will next test themselves against quality opposition, with plenty of football still to play before the business end of the George Tooke Shield. Keep an eye on McLean Oval — the nest is well and truly active in 2026.
Harden head to Crookwell on May 23 and it has been known to snow. Let’s hope it starts snowing tries.
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.