The annual Outback Challenge has descended upon Western New South Wales yet again.

And after the success of last years exhibition game in Lightning Ridge, the challenge is quickly becoming one of the best days on the bush footy calendar.

This year was no different, with the NSW Outback side taking on the Hasting's League side in Coonabarabran on Saturday 12 July.

The NSW Outback side was made up of the usual suspects: Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke, Cobar and Baradine, along with a few players from Wilcannia making the brief seven hour drive over to Coonabarabran to play on Saturday.

The Hastings League brought over players from Comboyne, Kendall, and Bowraville on the North Coast for a taste of bush footy.

They would end up as overall victors on the day, beating the Outback side by 40-22 in a free flowing affair, showing off the talent that rural and regional areas have.

Despite the loss, the game couldn’t have started any better for the Outback NSW outfit.

IMAGE: NSWRL

A penalty off the kick off led to a score only tackles later when Malakai Haley (Walgett) saw a gap up the middle and charged through from thirty metres out to score.

The hot start continued when centre Trent Mason (Walgett) finished off a beautiful grubber kick behind the line from halfback Quinton Kennedy (Walgett) to take the lead out to 10-0.

Despite the start, the Outback boys couldn’t keep the ball rolling and the Hastings squad fired off three quick tries before the half was up to lead 16 to 10 at the break.

The Outback boys came out with some fire in the second half, managing the first score of the second half through the big prop Tristan Wise (Walgett) who charged over the line bringing four Hastings players with him.

Hastings responded almost straight away, scoring a long range team try down the right edge to take back the lead at 22 to 16.

Outback made in roads up the field, and looked threatening but as the game wore on, the legs got heavy.

The lack of game time in 2025 for a lot of the side was the eventual downfall of the Outback, who over a ten minute period let in three quick tries to blow the score out to 16-40.

IMAGE: NSWRL

To finish the game however, it would be captain Sam Canty who crashed over late for a consolation try.

Commentator Geoff Mann said it best about the Bourke-turned-Baradine footballer.

"Big Sam, a wonderful player, who's given great service to the Outback," he said.

"Thanks to NSW Rugby League, for doing a spectacular job promoting this event."