Image: Mario Facchini, mafphotography
Image: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

FLASHBACK FRIDAY – John Raper

This weekend, Newtown was scheduled to play Newcastle at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah, home of the Saints. Our NRL partners, Cronulla-Sutherland were to be the home team. With that in mind, we’ve decided to profile rugby league immortal, Johnny Raper, thanks to our partners at Schofield King Lawyers

Why? Well, Raper debuted for Newtown, made a name for himself at Kogarah with St George, ended his playing career in the Newcastle comp with Wests and Kurri Kurri after which his coaching career saw him take the helm at the Sharks. 

Born in Revesby on 12th April 1939, Raper played his junior football for the Camperdown Dragons but was forced to provide a false address before joining Newtown in order to satisfy the strict residential rules of the time. 

Initially a centre or five-eighth, Raper was eventually shifted to the forwards and played a pivotal role in helping the Bluebags win the 1956 Presidents Cup title in his first year at the club.

In 1957, the precocious Raper made his top-grade debut for the Bluebags as a second-rower in round 1 against Manly. Speaking in 1993, Greg Ellis, who played hooker for the Bluebags that day recounted his memories of Raper’s first-grade debut to historian Terry Williams.

“Even in his early days at Newtown he was something special,” Ellis said.

“He was just so non-stop, we said to him ‘Slow down and save some energy for the second half.’ We didn’t realise then he could keep up that pace for the whole game.”

Raper went on to play Newtown until the conclusion of the 1958 season, scoring 10 tries across 37 first grade appearances before shifting to St George where he forged a reputation as one of the best players the game has ever seen. His exploits at the Red V are well documented, so we won’t go much deeper other than during his time at the club he won eight first grade Sydney premierships, played in 33 test matches and won two World Cups.

Raper retired from Sydney football at the end of the 1969 season, moving north to Newcastle where he joined the famous Western Suburbs club as captain-coach for 1970 season. Success was almost instantaneous, not only did Raper lead Wests to a 21-14 win over Maitland in the Grand Final, he was also selected to captain NSW against the touring Great Britain side – a remarkable achievement for a country based player! After three seasons with the Rosellas, Raper joined Kurri Kurri, where he played out his career until the conclusion of 1974.

Returning to Sydney in 1975, he coached at Cronulla for two seasons, before his career eventually came full circle following a coaching stint with Newtown in 1978.

In 1981, JR was named one of the four inaugural “Immortals” by Rugby League Week. A host of honours followed in 2008 as part of Australian Rugby League’s centenary celebrations. 

Schofield King Lawyers has spent the last decade representing underdogs against insurance companies and big businesses. For legal advice about your compensation claim, visit https://sklegal.com.au/

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.