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

Flashback Friday – Squeaker Strangles the Steelers

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

It was a day that Jets legend Ken ‘Squeaker’ Wilson will never forget.

On Sunday, May 2nd 1982, the veteran half celebrated his return to first-grade with a 24-point haul in Newtown’s 51-0 win over the Steelers, who were playing their 10th game since being admitted into the NSWRL premiership. 

Newtown coach Warren Ryan had dropped the point-scoring machine to the bench the previous week against Parramatta, but Squeaker returned to the starting side with a bang, bagging a try, 10 goals and a field goal in what would prove the biggest winning margin in the club’s 75 years in the top grade.

Wilson the only star of the afternoon, though, with quicksilver winger John Ferguson earning rave reviews from coach Ryan after a sterling two-try performance. 

“Ferguson has representative class written all over him,” Ryan enthused after the match.

“There are not many left-wingers who can beat their man as often as Ferguson does, yet he never gets the deserved recognition.” 

Newtown got on the board early after Jim Walters crossed from dummy half in the 17th minute and from that point, the tries began to flow. Walters also finished the game with a double, as did fullback Phil Sigsworth. Other players to get on the scoresheet were Peter Kelly, Allan McMahon and Graeme O’Grady, who all crossed for a try apiece. 

The only downside of the afternoon for the Jets was a calf injury sustained by Ray Blacklock.

Newtown 51 (Walters 2, Ferguson 2, Sigsworth 2, Wilson, Kelly, McMahon, O’Grady tries; Wilson 10 goals, field goal) def. Illawarra 0

HALF-TIME: Newtown 21-0

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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
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Petersham RSL
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Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

Invisi-Gard
Jersey Minor

John Singleton Group
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Schofield King Lawyers
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Coverforce
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The Henson
Back of Shorts

Sydney Park Hotel
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Sports Medicine Institute
Medical Services & Rehabilitation

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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.