Try time? Unfortunately not! Miraculously Troy Malcolm was held up by Parramatta’s John Williams with the scores locked at 18-all with twelve minutes to go. It was a play that changed the outcome of the Grand Final.
Try time? Unfortunately not! Miraculously Troy Malcolm was held up by Parramatta’s John Williams with the scores locked at 18-all with twelve minutes to go. It was a play that changed the outcome of the Grand Final.

Heartbreak for the Jets in 2006 Grand Final

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The Newtown Jets have retained their unenviable record of not having won a major NSW Rugby League finals match against Parramatta since 1981, having lost 20-19 to the Eels in extra time in the 2006 VB Premier League Grand Final at Telstra Stadium on Sunday. The Jets led 18-16 at half-time and neither side scored a try in the tense second half.

Newtown missed three field goal attempts in Golden Point extra time but the Eels grabbed the premiership with a well-taken field goal eight minutes into extra time, after the teams had been tied up at 19-all at the completion of eighty minutes of play.

To make use of the often-used Rugby League clich�, this was the definitive game of inches. Very little separated the sides and only marginal errors, the choice of options under pressure and a modicum of luck were likely to decide the final outcome.

The Jets went desperately close to scoring twice in the last twelve minutes of the second half and had their chances in Golden Point extra time. Parramatta was more disciplined and methodical over the entirety of the match and made more ground through the rucks in those desperate final minutes.

This was a match where every Newtown player gave his all but forwards, Mickey PaeaCharles TongaAdam SchubertHeath L’Estrange and Lopini Paea and backs Josh LewisShaun Kenny-Dowall and Troy Malcolm all deserve special commendation.

The enforced absence of fullback, Aidan Kirk, from the field with a serious knee injury after only five minutes in the first half was a dreadful blow to the Jets victory prospects, not to mention leaving Newtown with a three-man bench for seventy-five minutes of a Grand Final.

One definite winner yesterday was the rationale for the partnership between the Newtown Jets and the Sydney Roosters. The association really clicked into gear with an important win over Balmain at Henson Park way back on Easter Saturday, and the Jets stayed in second position on the competition table for most of the remainder of the season.

Coach Paul Young has done a marvellous job with the VB Premier League squad in his first year with the club and has taken the team to be as close to a premiership win as is mathematically possible.

Who played?

Aidan Kirk, Troy Malcolm, Mitchell Aubusson, Vince Mellars, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Josh Lewis, Jamie Soward, Daniel Dumas, Lopini Paea, Mickey Paea, Charlie Tonga, Heath L’Estrange, Glenn Hall

Interchange bench

Aaron Lai, Adam Schubert, Danny Williams, Rory Kostjasyn

Reserves

Lafi Manua, Michael Burns

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

Brad Fearnley takes the ball up.

Jets cruise past Knights in season finale

Tom Melville in his playing days for Newtown.

Tom Melville RIP

Image: MAF Photography

Newtown Jets Team List v Newcastle Knights Sun 27th August 2023

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.