Tom Raudonikis celebrates after scoring a try in the 1981 NSWRL Grand Final (colourised by thefootydog@mail.com)
Tom Raudonikis celebrates after scoring a try in the 1981 NSWRL Grand Final (colourised by thefootydog@mail.com)

Remembering forty years ago ….

Today, 27th September 2021, marks exactly forty years since Newtown and Parramatta faced off in the 1981 NSWRL First Grade Grand Final at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

It is an occasion of mixed feelings for many thousands of Newtown Jets supporters. There was the profound disappointment of losing the game narrowly, but no doubt many more fans took great pride in Newtown reaching the Grand Final for the first time since 1955 after such a thrilling progression through the qualifying games.

The club planned to recognise the 40th anniversary by way of a special 1981 team dinner, and of course the 1981 playing group would have been honoured at this year’s Newtown Jets Reunion Day at Henson Park.

As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to the remainder of the 2021 NSW Cup season and also to any plans for any special events to honour the 1981 Newtown Jets Grand Finalists.

The club now intends to pay tribute to the 1981 Jets players and staff by way of individual letters thanking them for their service and for such massive efforts in that memorable season.

Bearing in mind the despair associated with Newtown’s first grade seasons between 1976 and 1978, followed by the ascent of the Jets up the premiership table in 1979 and 1980 and then the glorious run of victories into the 1981 Grand Final – all made that 1981 season and the Grand Final appearance of forty years ago exceptional moments in our club history.

To say that the Newtown Rugby League Football Club has had a chequered history since 1908 is somewhat of an understatement. Let us remember then on this day, forty years on from the 27th September 1981, what was a day of enormous pride and achievement for our club, the oldest Rugby League club in Australia.

Phil Gould at the SCG in 1981 (Rugby League Week)

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.