MorrisThrowback

Schofield King’s Throwback Thursday: Jets Rookie Rocks Cronulla

Seeing as 2021 marks 40 years since our club’s remarkable charge to the 1981 NSWRFL Grand Final, this year Schofield King’s Throwback Thursday will focus exclusively on that season.

Each week we’ll revisit the fixture from the corresponding round in a series of articles that we hope will take our long-time fans on a fun journey down memory lane, while also educating our newer fans on our club’s illustrious history.

ROUND 20

Warren Ryan’s decision to reshuffle his backline paid dividends after Newtown beat fellow semi-final contenders Cronulla 14-0 at Henson Park.

After two disappointing losses to Canterbury and Souths, Ryan dropped halfback and captain Ken Wilson back to reserve grade. His spot was taken by former Test star Tommy Raudonikis, while Ryan moved Phil Sigsworth back to fullback to accommodate 19-year-old Paul Morris at five-eighth.

Despite spending the previous 14 weeks in reserve grade, Raudonikis didn’t miss a beat, expertly dictating play and constantly unsettling the Sharks in typical Tommy Raudonikis style. Former Balmain player Morris was also strong, scoring two tries and two goals in just his second first-grade appearance of the season. 

“I was a bit shaky at the start but after the first couple of tackles, everything was ok,” Morris said after the match.

“Tom kept talking to me, as he always did in reserve grade and it helped me settle down and fit in more smoothly.”

Morris scored the opening try at the four minute mark after Cronulla failed to clean up a Phil Gould bomb. 10 minutes later, the teenager kicked a penalty goal to set up Newtown’s 5-0 halftime lead.

A field goal from Phil Sigsworth put the Jets up by six with half an hour remaining, while Morris grabbed his second try in the 62nd minute. Big prop Steve Bowden put the cream on the cake for Newtown when he raced 40 metres to score off an intercept. 

While many considered the game to be a bit of a fizzer, the Jets could not have cared less as the two competition points gained allowed them to leapfrog Cronulla into third place on the premiership ladder.

Newtown 14 (P.Morris 2, S.Bowden tries; Morris 2 goals, P.Sigsworth field goal) def. Cronulla 0


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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.