More than a few Newtown supporters of a certain vintage are beginning to compare the Jets hard-working front-rower Kurt Dillon with the great Bill Noonan from back in 1979 and 1980. Photo: Gary Sutherland Photography
More than a few Newtown supporters of a certain vintage are beginning to compare the Jets hard-working front-rower Kurt Dillon with the great Bill Noonan from back in 1979 and 1980. Photo: Gary Sutherland Photography

Jets triumph in a thriller against Norths

Jets winger Edrick Lee has been both hero and villain for Newtown supporters in recent weeks, but he was back in favour at North Sydney Oval on Sunday afternoon. With the scores between the Jets and Norths tied at 12-all with eight minutes left to play, the long-striding Lee took an intercept and raced ninety metres to score the winning try.

This was an exciting match played with great intensity and physicality. Neither side was able to score in the early stages of the game, but in the 16th minute Jets centre Jesse Ramien ran onto a slick inside pass from halfback Fa’amanu Brown to score. Brown converted this try and later added a penalty goal. Norths scored a converted try just prior to half-time for Newtown to take an 8-6 lead into the break.

The Jets extended their lead to 12-6 early in the second half when the on-song Brown laid on a delayed pass that enabled burly centre Jordan Drew to crash over for a try. The Bears pulled back with an unconverted try and a penalty goal to draw level at 12-all with twenty minutes left to play.

Newtown defended resolutely to hold out several Norths attacking sorties, and Jets fullback Matt Evans was in exceptional touch defusing several dangerous Norths grubber kicks into the Jets in-goal area.

The Bears were in full attacking mode at Newtown’s end inside the last ten minutes, when an adventurous cut-out pass provided the intercept specialist, Edrick Lee, with his opportunity to win the game. The Shoremen laid on the razzle dazzle in the game’s last minutes but they could not crack the Jets’ defensive line.

Coach Matterson noted in his post-match comments that there really was very little between the two teams in this game. The Jets badly needed to win after several recent narrow losses. This match was a tough contest with some bruising exchanges in the forwards. Newtown’s win was based on making fewer errors and a determined defensive effort. Matterson said this had been a really brave win, but the fight for a place in the 2017 finals goes on. He rated props Kurt Dillon and Tepatasi Fuiavailili as the best of a good pack of forwards, while Matt Evans, Jordan Drew and Jesse Ramien had been the best in a strong set of backs.

The Newtown Jets are back home at Henson Park this Saturday, 20th May, when they host the 2016 premiership winners, Illawarra. This Saturday at Henson Park has been designated as Ladies Day, with the Jets-Illawarra match kicking off at 3.00pm.

Newtown's head coach George Ndaira (left) and Head of Football Greg Matterson are pictured with the 2024 NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup premiership trophy. George and Greg are both on deck again as the Newtown Jets head into the 2025 NSW Cup season. 
(Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography)

Newtown’s first NSW Cup trial game for 2025 is against Penrith at Henson Park on Saturday, 8th February at 4.00pm

This photo of the Newtown RLFC players, staff, Directors and sponsors was taken at Henson Park on the day before the final home game for the 2024 season.  (Photo: Mario Facchini)

The Newtown Jets celebrate what was a magnificent year in the history of Australia’s oldest rugby league club

Newtown Jets 2024 Presentation Night Poster

2024 NEWTOWN RLFC NSW CUP PREMIERS PRESENTATION DINNER & AWARDS NIGHT

Newtown's giant front-rower Tuku Hau Tapuha gets into stride as he carries the ball forward in Sunday's NRL State Championship Final. Photo: Mario Facchini / mafphotography

Second half errors prove costly as the Newtown Jets lose narrowly in the NRL State Championship Final

Barry Vining of the Jets celebrates after the preliminary final of the NSW Cup finals series game between the Newtown Jets and Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney on September 23, 2012. Jets defeated Bulldogs 34-6. (Photo by Jason McCawley)

Vale Barry Noel Vining OAM

Image: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Newtown Jets Team List v Norths Devils Sun 6th October, 2024 (NRL State Championship)

Australian Mutual Bank
Front of Jersey

Petersham RSL
Back of Jersey

Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

HPH-02

Henson Park Hotel
Chest

John Singleton Group
Sleeve

PHILTER
Shoulder blades, Brewing

Coverforce
Front of Shorts

VIC on the Park
Back of Shorts

Strive Fitness
Gym

Sports Medicine Institute
Medical Services & Rehabilitation

Label Plus
Major Sponsor

Arista Technologies
Technology Partner

Newtown Jets respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the Land and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on and that the land area encompassing Henson Park traditionally belonged to the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.