Newtown Jets Team List v North Sydney Bears (REUNION DAY / Frank Hyde Shield) | Sat 22nd August 2026
Tuesday Team List — proudly presented by the Henson Park Hotel.
Jets coach George Ndaira has locked in his Round 25 squad for this Saturday’s KOE NSW Cup blockbuster against the North Sydney Bears at Henson Park, with kick-off at 3.00pm. It’s a heavyweight rivalry, a late-season stakes-loaded clash, and the old girl will be humming.
Many thanks to our Player Sponsors & Royal Blue Legends Club Members listed in brackets.
1 Liam Ison (DEICORP)
2 Kristian Dixon (Golden Barley Hotel)
3 Riley Jones (Gerard Partners / Glen Archibald)
4 Michael Gabrael (Steve Helmich and Ray Buckland)
5 Chris Vea’ila (Golden Barley Hotel)
6 Taj Ford (Wink Media / Michael Thorne)
7 Riley Pollard (Provident Project Management)
8 Tuku Hau Tapuha (Joe Daaboul and David Nelson)
9 Jayden Berrell (Simon Braid and Daniel Bazley, Shire Mates)
10 Brad Fearnley (Jeff Gabriel and Karl Cope)
11 Jaxon Lavender (Nifty Foods / Kris Gale & Mary-Jane Salier)
12 Harrison Hassett (Loudon Private Wealth / RH Double Bay Albert Talarico)
13 Blake Hosking (Adam & Linda Whyte, Arthur & Jillian Bishop)
Interchange:
14 Sam McCulloch (Label Plus / Laurence & Aileen Long)
16 Jontay Betham (VIZIONX / Brett & Rebecca Scelly)
17 Felix Faatili (John Cahill & Jennifer Malone)
18 Khaled Rajab (Black Sleep / Alan & Lee Grant)
21 TBA(Built Smart Solutions / Kevin Maish)
22 TBC (Good Fellows Sports and Sox)
Coach: George Ndaira (Arc Commercial Furniture)
IT DOESN’T GET MUCH BIGGER OR BETTER THAN THIS
Bluebags v Bears. 4th v 1st.Frank Hyde Shield on the line. Reunion Day.Last home game of the season.
That’s more than enough reason to make sure you’re at the “Jewel in the Crown of Rugby League grounds” this Saturday.
Our Men All Dressed in Blue kept their finals hopes alive last weekend with a hard-earned win over a spirited Canberra Raiders outfit. Newtown exploded out to a 30–6 lead after 28 minutes before Canberra clawed back with three converted tries in the final nine minutes of the half. The Jets steadied after the break, tightened the defensive screws, and powered home for a 42–30 victory — our fourth straight win.
Even so, nothing is guaranteed. Finals aren’t locked in, which makes Saturday another must-win moment.
Meanwhile, with Penrith dropping back-to-back games, North Sydney have climbed to the top of the table for the first time this season. The Bears are in red-hot form, riding six straight wins, a run that began with their 12–10 victory over Newtown at Bear Park in Round 18. It all sets up a mouthwatering Reunion Day Frank Hyde Shield decider.
Reunion Day is one of the great traditions of our club — a chance to welcome past players, officials, and supporters, and celebrate everything it means to be a Bluebag. This year we honour the 30th anniversary of our 1996 Metro Cup Premiership, the second title in a legendary three-peat under club icon Col Murphy. A big turnout of former players and staff is expected, so make sure you say hello to the generation that laid the foundations for the success we’ve enjoyed since returning to the NSWRL’s top flight in 2000.
There’s nowhere else to be this Saturday than Henson Park. So come all ye Bluebags faithful — wear the royal, bring the noise, and help our boys get the job done.
🎉 Fun on the DEICORP Family Hill
There’s plenty happening off the field too:
• Free jumping castles and face painting for the kids
🍻 Food & Drinks for the Big Kids
• Philter’s Newtown Lager, XPA and more
• Kraken & Cola and Kraken & Dry thanks to our exclusive dark spirits’ partner.
And for the little ones…
• Ice Cream Joe’s Mr Whippy & Barista
• Mr Kernalserving hot dogs, tenders, fries and chips on a stick
🎟️ The Famous Jets Raffle Returns
Featuring:
• A delicious meat tray from Dulwich Hill Gourmet Meats
• Our iconic Fruit & Veg box courtesy of The Petersen Family
• A case of Newtown Lager from Philter
• Yummy Jets biscuits from J Kreations
As Lynchy always says… Dig deep & support the Jets!
🍻 Post‑Match at Henson Park Hotel
Keep the Bluebags spirit rolling after full-time. Join players, coaches, members and supporters from 5.30pm at the Henson Park Hotel (91 Illawarra Road, Marrickville) to continue the festivities and — hopefully — celebrate an important Jets win.
Up the Blues.
📺 Can’t Make It?
Catch the game live via BarTV’s official live streaming (subscription required)