Newtown Jets five-eighth Jack A. Williams was at his scheming best in the ISP NSW Grand Final at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon. Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography
Newtown Jets five-eighth Jack A. Williams was at his scheming best in the ISP NSW Grand Final at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon. Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Newtown Jets premiership aspirations dashed in final minutes

The Newtown Jets were beaten in heart-rending circumstances in the NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership NSW grand final played at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The Jets lost to Canterbury-Bankstown 18-12 after the scores had been locked together at 12-all, with just seven minutes remaining on the clock. Newtown led 10-0 late in the first half but conceded what was a controversial try to the Bulldogs right on the stroke of halftime. The Jets had completed 20 out of 21 sets in the first forty minutes and had 55% of possession.

Newtown’s second half saw several missed opportunities that could have secured the Jets a premiership title in their 110th year in rugby league. Canterbury’s winning try came from a one-on-one strip, and the Bulldogs extended their 16-12 lead through two more points from a penalty goal in the 75th minute. Newtown’s second half completion rate declined to 8 out of 15 sets and the Bulldogs had 55% of the ball in the critical second session.

This was a game of great intensity where a small number of errors and missed opportunities determined the outcome. For the Newtown club, it was a potential grand final victory that cruelly slipped away in the second half. Sione Katoa and Jack A. Williams were Newtown’s best backs and Jimmy Jolliffe and Kurt Dillon were the best of the forwards. Sione Katoa and Kyle Flanagan scored Newtown’s tries, with Flanagan converting his own try and kicking a penalty goal. Newtown’s loyal army of supporters made up the majority of the crowd estimated at being just over 9,000.

The match details:

NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership NSW – Grand Final

Sunday, 23rd September 2018

Leichhardt Oval

Newtown versus Canterbury-Bankstown

Kick-Off: 3.10pm.

Canterbury-Bankstown 18:

Fa’amanu Brown, Josh Bergamin, Morgan Harper tries;

Rhyse Martin 1 conversion and 1 penalty goal, Josh Cleeland 1 penalty goal

defeated

Newtown 12:

Sione Katoa, Kyle Flanagan tries;

Kyle Flanagan 1 conversion and 1 penalty goal.

Half-Time: Newtown led 10-6.

Points timeline:

24th minute: Sione Katoa try, not converted. Newtown 4-0.

33rd minute: Kyle Flanagan try and conversion. Newtown 10-0.

39th minute: Fa’amanu Brown try, Josh Cleeland conversion. Newtown 10-6.

Half-Time: Newtown 10-6.

54th minute: Josh Bergamin try, converted by Rhyse Martin. Canterbury 12-10.

66th minute: Kyle Flanagan penalty goal. 12-all.

73rd minute: Morgan Harper try, not converted. Canterbury 16-12.

75th minute: Rhyse Martin penalty goal. Canterbury 18-12.

Full-Time: Canterbury-Bankstown wins 18-12.

Newtown’s team was:

Will Kennedy, Matt Evans, Aaron Gray, Reubenn Rennie, Sione Katoa, Jack A. Williams, Kyle Flanagan, Jimmy Jolliffe, Briton Nikora, Anthony Moraitis (Capt), Kurt Dillon, Blayke Brailey, Ava Seumanufagai.

Interchange: Billy Magoulias, Braden Uele, Wes Lolo, Malakai Houma.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

Canterbury-Bankstown:

Mason Cerruto, Josh Bergamin, Morgan Harper, John Olive, Jayden Okunbor, Josh Cleeland, Fa’amanu Brown. Greg Eastwood (Capt), Ofahiki Ogden, Rhyse Martin, Renouf To’omaga, Zac Woolford, Francis Tualau.

Interchange: Bronson Garlick, Lachlan Burr, Jack Nelson, Chris Smith.

Coach: Steve Georgallis.

Referee: Adam Cassidy.

Assistant Referee: Drew Oultram.

Touch Judges: Mark Bohan and Adam Reid.

Video Referee: Jared Maxwell and Henry Perenara.

Playing surface at Leichhardt Oval: Excellent.

Weather: 19 degrees, partly cloudy, 27 km/h south-easterly wind.

Canterbury-Bankstown kicked off, running to the northern end.

Newtown's head coach George Ndaira (left) and Head of Football Greg Matterson are pictured with the 2024 NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup premiership trophy. George and Greg are both on deck again as the Newtown Jets head into the 2025 NSW Cup season. 
(Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography)

Newtown’s first NSW Cup trial game for 2025 is against Penrith at Henson Park on Saturday, 8th February at 4.00pm

This photo of the Newtown RLFC players, staff, Directors and sponsors was taken at Henson Park on the day before the final home game for the 2024 season.  (Photo: Mario Facchini)

The Newtown Jets celebrate what was a magnificent year in the history of Australia’s oldest rugby league club

Newtown Jets 2024 Presentation Night Poster

2024 NEWTOWN RLFC NSW CUP PREMIERS PRESENTATION DINNER & AWARDS NIGHT

Newtown's giant front-rower Tuku Hau Tapuha gets into stride as he carries the ball forward in Sunday's NRL State Championship Final. Photo: Mario Facchini / mafphotography

Second half errors prove costly as the Newtown Jets lose narrowly in the NRL State Championship Final

Barry Vining of the Jets celebrates after the preliminary final of the NSW Cup finals series game between the Newtown Jets and Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney on September 23, 2012. Jets defeated Bulldogs 34-6. (Photo by Jason McCawley)

Vale Barry Noel Vining OAM

Image: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Newtown Jets Team List v Norths Devils Sun 6th October, 2024 (NRL State Championship)

Australian Mutual Bank
Front of Jersey

Petersham RSL
Back of Jersey

Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

HPH-02

Henson Park Hotel
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

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.