Jets error rate, poor discipline and faulty execution costs them the points in Melbourne.

Match Report:

Unusually warm Melbourne autumn weather greeted the Newtown Jets when they travelled south to play the Melbourne Storm, the newcomers to the ranks of the 2026 NSW Cup competition.

This third round match was played at the impressive Melbourne Storm Centre of Excellence Complex, located at the Seabrook Reserve in the northern suburb of Broadmeadows.

Newtown Jets middle forward Brad Fearnley puts on a step to take on the Melbourne Storm defensive line.

Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Newtown had begun the 2026 NSW Cup season in swashbuckling style with a 38-16 win over Penrith, after have a bye in the competition’s opening round. The Storm had lost their first two games and looked to be at long odds against a strong and confident Newtown team.

The Storm NSW Cup lads thrilled their home crowd on Saturday by defeating Newtown 20-12, after leading 8-0 at halftime. The first points were scored after twenty minutes had elapsed, when the Storm claimed a converted try on the back of a long midfield break by the Storm hooker, ending in a clever chip kick into the Jets in-goal zone. Melbourne added a penalty goal five minutes later and they took that 8-0 lead into the halftime break.

The Jets looked to be ready to take control of the match when centre Cathane Hill scored five minutes into the second half, with Riley Pollard’s conversion reducing Melbourne’s lead to 8-6.

The Storm reasserted their initiative in this match , scoring 13 minutes into the second half and adding the conversion to extend their lead out to 14-6.

Newtown middle forward Felix Faatili brings the ball forward in the Jets-Storm match.

Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Newtown looked to be finishing the stronger and winger Kristian Dixon scored an opportunist try ten minutes out from fulltime. Riley Pollard’s conversion narrowed Melbourne’s lead to 14-12. The Jets appeared to be finishing the stronger and they had a clear territorial dominance in the last fifteen minutes. By contrast, the Storm boys looked to be wilting in the unseasonably warm weather.

The last ten minutes failed to go Newtown’s way, with errors at the Storm’s end of the field letting the home side off the hook. In fact the Melbourne lads carried the ball deep into Newtown’s territory, with the jubilant Storm ensuring victory through a converted try in the last minute of play.

Jets backrower Harrison Hassett in possession in the match at the Melbourne Storm Centre of Excellence on Saturday.

Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Coach George Ndaira was disappointed with Newtown’s loss against the competition newcomers, putting it down to a combination of errors, moments of ill-discipline and the failure to execute possible scoring opportunities at critical moments in the second half.

The Jets travel away again in Round 4 of the NSW Cup, to a venue where fortune hasn’t been particularly kind to Newtown over the years. The Jets take on the Canberra Raiders on Sunday, 29th March at the GIO Stadium in Canberra at 1.45pm.

Last year’s bitterly disappointing loss to the Canberra Raiders in the elimination semi-final should provide plenty of incentive for the Newtown Jets men in this fourth round NSW Cup encounter.

Newtown winger Kristian Dixon wins the challenge for possession against several Storm opponents.
Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Match Details:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Round 3

Saturday, 21st March 2026

Seabrook Reserve, Broadmeadows (Vic)

Melbourne Storm v Newtown
Kick-Off: 2.00pm.

The Melbourne Storm players were well-briefed as to how dangerous Newtown’s centre Michael Gabrael can be with the ball, as several Storm defender swarm around him in this match scene.

Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Match Result:

Melbourne Storm 20: Angus Hinchey 2, Hugo Peel tries;

Trent Toelau 3 conversions, 1 penalty goal

defeated

Newtown 12: Cathane Hill, Kristian Dixon tries;

Riley Pollard 2 conversions.

Half-time: Melbourne Storm led 8-0.

Jets head coach George Ndaira’s post-match comments in the wake of Saturday’s defeat:https://www.facebook.com/reel/1683169602698420

Highlights of last Saturday’s Melbourne Storm v Newtown Jets match:

Weather: Sunny, clear skies, slight breeze, 32 degrees.

Playing surface: Excellent.

Referee: Dillan Wells

Touch Judges: John Woods, Curtis Robinson

Standby: Jonathan Nicholls.

Jets front-rower Sam McCulloch on the move with the ball, and looking to get his pass away.

Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

The teams were as follows last Saturday, 21st March:

Newtown:

Fullback: Taj Ford

Wingers: Kristian Dixon, Chris Vea’ila

Centres: Michael Gabrael, Cathane Hill

Halves: Riley Pollard, Khaled Rajab (Captain)
Lock: Blake Hosking

Second-Rowers: Jaxon Lavender, Harrison Hassett
Front-Rowers: Tuku Hau Tapuha, Brad Fearnley
Hooker: Hohepa Puru.

Interchange:

Kobie Wilson, Sam McCulloch
Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa, Felix Faatili.

Reserve:

Peter Taateo.

Blue Shirt Trainer: Tom Haberecht

Yellow Shirt Trainer: Brett Kaplan

Orange Shirt Trainer: Chris Moubarak
Game Day Doctor: Dr Daryl Wong

Head Coach: George Ndaira.

Melbourne Storm:

Fullback: Hugo Peel

Wingers: Luke Cesari, Siulagi Tuimaiatu-Brown

Centres: Manaia Waitere, Liam Williams
Halves: Keagan Russell-Smith, Trent Toelau

Lock: Davvy Moale

Second-Rowers: Angus Hinchey, Preston Conn
Front-Rowers: Jack Hetherington, Lazarus Vaalepu
Hooker: Gabriel Satrick

Interchange:

Jerry Musu, Josaiah Pahulu

K-Cl Newton-Whare, Alan Holten

Reserve: Blake Kehl

Blue Shirt Trainer: Eliesa Katoa
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Lucas Watson
Orange Shirt Trainer: Mitchell Chad

Game Day Doctor: Dr Zee Baker

Coach: Mark Russell.