Familiar face back looking to shake things up after years of two teams dominating
Jesse Bellchambers is looking to shake up the status quo after returning to coach the Tumut Bulls in 2026.
Wagga clubs have dominated Southern Inland for the past decade, but new Tumut coach Jesse Bellchambers is looking to change that.
Waratahs and Wagga City have won the last seven premierships, with
Griffith's grand final appearance in 2022 is the only time a non-Wagga club has made the decider since
Leeton went through the competition unbeaten in 2017.
However,
after being knocked out by eventual premiers Waratahs in the past two preliminary finals, Bellchambers is confident the Bulls have what it takes to alter the status quo in 2026.
"It's a massive challenge to be able to help grow the footy knowledge and improve the footy as well as the development at the same time so we're really just shaking things up in Tumut and in SIRU as well," Bellchambers said.
"Every year you see a similar story with who rises to the top and makes the grand final so really it's a big challenge that we want to shake up and have a shot at knocking off some of those bigger teams.
An adorable baby ringtail possum arrived at the Australian Reptile Zoo in Somersby, New South Wales, after tumbling out of a tree.
"We want to really develop the players in Tumut and bring in a new mindset to build on a really good, strong club culture that is there and rekindle that fire to go for the top."
A Tumut junior, Bellchambers hasn't played in Southern Inland since being part of Wagga City's dramatic grand final win in 2022.
Since then he's spent time with West Harbour and Canberra Royals as well with Belconnen Sharks and Yass in the Canberra Raiders Cup.
After initially moving to Sydney for his stint with West Harbour in 2023, Bellchambers has been travelling from Canberra to play.
Jesse Bellchambers was with Wagga City when he last played in Southern Inland in 2022.
However, he feels sticking closer to home is a better fit.
"Being back home in the area, the travel back to Canberra for footy for another year wasn't really going to work out with work and seeing where the club was at and the stage they're at really wanting to shake things up a bit in Tumut and in the SIRU comp was a big reason for returning home," Bellchambers said.
Placing a big focus on developing Tumut's homegrown ranks is one thing the 25-year-old wants to do.
"I really want to help grow the footy in Tumut, develop the young boys and ladies coming through more and really sort of build the club in that sense," Bellchambers said.
"It's lined up with something I wanted to build knowing what it was like when I was playing Bulls."
Bellchambers has already helped lure Trae King to the club.
He's spent the past two seasons playing in Group Nine with Tumut.
Trae King (pictured) will line up in Bulls colours in 2026 after spending the past two seasons playing first grade in Group Nine.
Tumut president Cameron Greenhalgh is pleased to have Bellchambers on board, especially with his brother Seth Bellchambers and King joining him at the Bulls for 2026.
"He's a club junior who went away and throw his hand in the Canberra competition so it's good to have him back and bring that bit of knowledge," Greenhalgh said.
"He's going to bring some mates with him too."
Greenhalgh expects his passion will be a big boost to the club.
With the Bulls looking to take that next step, Greenhalgh expects to have a similar line-up in 2026 with the exception of Jordan Gogo-Simeona and John Samuelu who aren't expected to return after moves to Germany and Japan respectively.
"At this moment we've retained everyone else," Greenhalgh said.
That includes star hooker Joeli Salusalumasi,
who scored three tries in a finals win over Griffith.
He has been linked with a move to another Southern Inland club.
It's the second year running the Bulls have been knocked off in the preliminary final but have had a coaching change with Stephen Gill not having a second season.
With his first child due next year, the Wagga-based Gill is unsure of what lies ahead.
