Glebe Dirty Reds winger Honeti Tuha challenges the Maitland Pickers defence in Sunday’s exciting grand final. Photo: Supplied by the NSW Rugby League.
Glebe Dirty Reds winger Honeti Tuha challenges the Maitland Pickers defence in Sunday’s exciting grand final. Photo: Supplied by the NSW Rugby League.

Dirty Reds go desperately close to a premiership title

The Maitland Pickers have defeated the Glebe Dirty Reds 17-16, in a thrilling NSWRL President’s Cup Grand Final that literally came down to the last seconds of play.

The President’s Cup competition was devised by the NSW Rugby League to provide some good quality semi-professional rugby league in this disrupted year, drawing on metropolitan clubs from the Ron Massey Cup and from stronger regional NSW club teams.

The rigour of Sunday’s grand final at BankWest Stadium would not have disappointed the NSW Rugby League administrators. This was a premiership decider played with absolute commitment. Both clubs fielded forward packs that played with fierce intensity, and backlines that displayed speed and skill.

Maitland led 6-0 at half-time after an opening forty minutes in which the Glebe Dirty Reds had spent more time in their opponents’ territory.

The second half was decided by Maitland’s marginally better kicking game and ability to make better use of hard-won try-scoring opportunities.

The Hunter Valley team extended their lead to 17-10 late in the second half, but Glebe pulled back to trail 17-16 with just over a minute to play. Time ran out for the Inner Western team, but no-one could doubt the Dirty Reds’ level of rugged endeavour and team spirit.

Hard-running centre Nene Macdonald played on numerous occasions for the Newtown Jets in 2021.  Last Sunday Nene was playing for Papua-New Guinea against the Cook Islands in the 2023 Pacific Championships - Pacific Bowl and he scored four tries. (Photo: Mike Magee).

Information about 2024 Newtown RLFC memberships; Newtown Jets playing in the 2023 Pacific Championship Series; and a reminder about Newtown RLFC merchandise.

Kyle Pickering and Daniel Atkinson, Italian rugby league representative team, 7th October 2023 (NSWRL Twitter) crop

These Newtown Jets players have gained selection in various end of season representative rugby league teams

Newtown Jets 2023 Presentation Night bottom image for web post

The Newtown Jets RLFC held its Annual Presentation Dinner on the evening of Friday, 29th September 2023 at the Petersham RSL Club.

Newtown Jets left-edge backrower Kyle Pickering (in possession) about to score at Henson Park on Saturday, 22nd July 2023. Jets fullback Manaia Waitere salutes the crowd after playing a clever role in setting up the try. (Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography)

Newtown RLFC 2023 Presentation Dinner Details

July 22, 2023 - Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia, Kyle Pickering of the Newtown Jets scores his second try of the game during Round 21 of the NSWRL Knock On Effect NSW Cup at Henson Park in Marrickville, New South Wales. (Mario Facchini/mafphotography)

Newtown RLFC 2023 Presentation Night Details

Sunday Sun 603

The Other Premiers of 1943

Australian Mutual Bank
Front of Jersey

Petersham RSL
Back of Jersey

Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

Invisi-Gard
Jersey Minor

John Singleton Group
Sleeve

Schofield King Lawyers
Sleeve

Coverforce
Front of Shorts

The Henson
Back of Shorts

Sydney Park Hotel
Back of Shorts

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.