The Newtown Jets and South Sydney Rabbitohs get serious at Redfern Oval on Saturday 5th February 2011. Photo: Mike Biboudis
The Newtown Jets and South Sydney Rabbitohs get serious at Redfern Oval on Saturday 5th February 2011. Photo: Mike Biboudis

Flashback Friday – 2011 Return to Redfern

Each week, thanks to Schofield King Lawyers, we bring you a story from our rich history.

Two foundation clubs, one boutique ground and a close to capacity crowd – what more could you possibly want?

In 2011, we had the honour of opening our pre-season with a very special trial match against South Sydney in their annual Return to Redfern match. Played on Saturday evening in early February, it was a stifling 41 degrees celsius when the players took to the field in front of a crowd of around 5,000 fans.

Souths had fielded a moderately strong side with established first-graders Ben Ross and Chris McQueen joined by rising rookies like Adam Reynolds, George Burgess, Nathan Peats, Josh Mansour and James Roberts. Newtown, on the other hand, fielded a side made up mainly of trialists, with 20 of the 24 players in the squad making their debut in the royal blue.

It’s fair to say that Newtown struggled with the hot conditions, dropping a lot of ball and gifting Souths a stack possession early on. That said, the defensive commitment shown by the blues was immense, as the home side could only manage one try during the opening half that was ultimately scored on the back of a kick.

Souths extended their lead to 10-0 midway through the third quarter when James Roberts pulled a kick back from over the dead-ball line to score, but the Jets struck back soon after when winger Sione Taka completed a nice backline movement to set up a 10-4 scoreline at three-quarter time.

Tempers flared during an intense final quarter, with a scuffle breaking out in the 64th minute, while big Jets prop Ryan Verlinden was sin-binned for dissent soon after. Despite being a man down, Newtown enjoyed the better of the play during the final stages and came close on numerous occasions to scoring a potentially match-levelling try. Alas, it was not to be, with Souths holding on for a 10-4 victory.

Despite the loss, there were certainly many Newtown players who could hold their heads high. Boyd Strickland and centre Francis Vaiotu both played well as did front-rowers Khalid Deeb and Francis Tuigamala.

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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.