Jets

KOE NSW Cup Round 11

Saturday 17th May 2025

3pm

 HENSON PARK

Canberra Raiders 2024 220
Newtown Jets backrower Jack Williams looks for support with Edrick Lee close by in Saturday’s match against Illawarra at Henson Park. Photo: Michael Magee Photography
Newtown Jets backrower Jack Williams looks for support with Edrick Lee close by in Saturday’s match against Illawarra at Henson Park. Photo: Michael Magee Photography

Jets run Illawarra close in a high scoring game

The Jets narrow loss to Illawarra on Saturday was a salutary lesson to Newtown’s young team in not allowing their opponents to get back into the game. The Jets led 22-6 midway through the first half, but this lead had narrowed to 22-16 by halftime. Illawarra only took the lead for the first time fifteen minutes out from fulltime but the Jets fought back tenaciously to trail 38-34 two minutes before the final siren.

This match was the third time this season that Newtown’s Intrust Super Premiership team had lost to a top five opponent by four points or less. The Jets paid for lapses late in the first half and during a crucial period of the second stanza. Illawarra are the defending premiers and their more experienced forward pack had the better of play for extended periods of the second half.

Newtown laid on some of the best tries of the game, with Junior Kangaroos centre Jesse Ramien scoring after Fa’amanu Brown had made a clever break and was backed up by Matt Evans. Winger James Tuitahi showed great strength in scoring his first try and his second came courtesy of a top-class cut-out pass from Daniel Mortimer. Winger Edrick Lee produced one of his trademark unconventional tries early in the second half, and he created another two minutes out from fulltime when he made good ground, chip-kicked over one defender’s head and caught the ball, then drew the Illawarra fullback and sent Manaia Cherrington racing in to score under the northern end goal-posts.

Coach Greg Matterson will be working doubly hard this week on team combinations and positional changes, as several Jets ISP NSW players are likely to be promoted into the Sharks NRL team to cover for State of Origin selections.

Next Saturday at Henson Park, 27th May, is the annual Salute the Hipsters Day, when the Jets pay tribute to the greatly-changed population of inner-west Sydney that has become such a loyal support base of the Newtown club. The Jets take on their nearest neighbours, Canterbury-Bankstown, on Saturday at Henson Park at 3.00pm.

Image: Harrison Tse

Newtown Jets Team List v Canberra Raiders Sat 17th May, 2025

Ron Sigsworth in action against the North Sydney Bears at Henson Park on Monday 13th June 1983. Ron scored a try in the 16 all draw.

Vale Ron Sigsworth

Terry Welsh was in Newtown's 1974 NSWRL Reserve Grade premiership-winning squad. 
He is third in from the right in the front row.  (Photo: Newtown RLFC)

Vale Terry Welsh

The Newtown Jets bring down a Parramatta Eels player in Saturday's match at Henson Park.  Photo: Daniel Cabrita.

Newtown Jets errors and poor discipline punished by the Parramatta Eels

Image: Harrison Tse

Newtown Jets Team List v St George Illawarra Dragons Sun 11th May 2025 (NSWRL Magic Round / Tom Kirk Cup)

Number 13 in the Newtown Jets jersey is Hohepa Puru, who has been in great form in the midfield with the Newtown Jets since transferring from the Canberra Raiders. (Photo: Harrison Tse).

The fired-up Wests Magpies make the Jets work hard for their win

Australian Mutual Bank
Front of Jersey

Petersham RSL
Back of Jersey

Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

Eclectic 365
Chest

John Singleton Group
Sleeve

PHILTER
Shoulder blades, Brewing

Coverforce
Front of Shorts

VIC on the Park
Back of Shorts

Strive Fitness
Gym

Sports Medicine Institute
Medical Services & Rehabilitation

Henson Park Hotel
Back of Shorts

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.