Newtown Jets impact benchman Jason Schirnack swings out a pass against Wests Tigers in this splendid Henson Park panorama taken on Saturday, 2nd April 2016. Photo: Michael Magee Photography.
Newtown Jets impact benchman Jason Schirnack swings out a pass against Wests Tigers in this splendid Henson Park panorama taken on Saturday, 2nd April 2016. Photo: Michael Magee Photography.

The 2016 Jets start to show what they are capable of

Report on the Newtown Jets v Wests Tigers Intrust Super Premiership NSW fixture, played at Henson Park on Saturday, 2nd April 2016 by Glen ‘Bumper’ Dwyer.

The Newtown Jets turned on one of their best home-game performances in recent seasons, when they defeated the third-placed Wests Tigers 38-14 at Henson Park last Saturday. Played in front of a healthy early-season attendance, the Jets led 22-10 at half-time and unlike other games this year didn’t allow the opposition back into the contest in the second half. After five rounds Newtown is now in third place on the Intrust Super Premiership NSW competition table.

The Jets made a slow start in this match with some poor handling and being outmuscled in the midfield. Wests Tigers scored a soft try from dummy-half and led 6-0 after seven minutes. Once Newtown obtained a share of possession they made inroads into the Tigers defence, and hooker Matt McIlwrick sliced through to score in the 12th minute. Some poor one on one defence allowed Wests Tigers to score wide out in the north-eastern corner to take the lead 10-4.

Newtown began to exert some authority midway through the first half and clever halfback Fa’amanu Brown dummied his way across in the 22nd minute. The Jets put some continued pressure on the Tigers and were rewarded in the 30th minute, when crisp ball-handling up the left side sent centre Jordan Drew over in the south-eastern corner. Fa’amanu Brown converted from out wide for Newtown to take the lead by 14-10. The Jets scored again when a well-constructed passing movement saw winger Jacob Gagan cross in the south-western corner, with half-back Brown again adding the extras. Brown kicked a penalty goal right on half-time for Newtown to lead 22-10 at the break.

At half-time coach Greg Matterson laid down the challenge to his players not to let the opposition back into the game in the second half, as had happened in the previous three games. Matterson said that an improved kicking game by the Jets would be a key component to shutting out any Wests Tigers resurgence.

The Jets laid on their best try of the game when winger Travis Robinson combined well with Jordan Drew, who in turn off-loaded to team captain Mitch Brown. This spectacular phase of high-speed play ended in Brown toeing the ball ahead and grounding it next to the northern end posts, amid great jubilation from the big Hipsters Day crowd.

Newtown’s controlled and effective play brought further dividends when Matt McIlwrick kicked ahead into the Wests Tigers in-goal and giant prop Andrew Fifita won the race to the ball. Ten minutes later Jacob Gagan scored his second try on the end of a superb cut-out pass from five-eighth Josh Cleeland. Wests Tigers scored their only try for the second half with a long-distance runaway effort five minutes before full-time.

The Jets’ big men played a major role in this victory with their midfield control and combined workrate. Front-rowers Jesse Sene-Lefao and David Fifita and hooker Matt McIlwrick were all prominent, and ball-playing backrower Kurt Capewell is starting to gel with his new team-mates. Jason Schirnack was again very effective as an impact player from the bench. Five-eighth Josh Cleeland was in fine touch with his passing and kicking game, and Fa’amanu Brown, Mitch Brown and Josh Gagan were the best of a strong Newtown backline.

The Newtown Jets play away to Canterbury-Bankstown in the sixth round of the Intrust Super Premiership at Belmore Sports Ground this Friday night, 8th April, at 7.30pm.

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.