Sunday’s elimination semi-final between the two NSWRL foundation clubs shapes up as a classic

The Newtown and North Sydney clubs have met twice in elimination semi-finals in recent years and on both occasions the matches were thrillers.

The Bears prevailed by 17-16 in a pulsating encounter in 2011, and Newtown won in golden point extra time in 2012 with Daniel Mortimer kicking a long-range penalty goal.

In 2019 Newtown won 32-30 in round 5 at Henson Park, while the Bears squared accounts in round 17 at North Sydney Oval with a convincing 22-8 win.

The Jets go into Sunday’s sudden-death match on the back of an outstanding performance against Mounties last Saturday; Norths were well beaten by South Sydney 32-12 in their qualifying final.

As Big League puts it, “Newtown and North Sydney face off, with their regular season results split one apiece. Although the Bears finished higher on the competition table, Newtown can be regarded as being in better recent form and this should be a compelling clash.”

Newtown’s match details for Sunday:

NSWRL Canterbury Cup NSW – Elimination Semi-Final

Sunday, 15^th September 2019

Leichhardt Oval

North Sydney (3^rd place, 28 points) versus Newtown (7^th place, 25 points)

Kick-Off: 12.10pm.

Newtown Jets supporters please note the early kick-off time.

Referee: Todd Smith.

Assistant Referee: Cameron Paddy.

Touch Judges: Adam Reid and Benjamin Teague.

Television coverage: Live on 9Gem from 12 noon.

Radio: Live broadcasts by Steele Sports; 2HHH 100.1FM; HAWK 89.9FM; SWR 99.9FM.

Newtown’s team for Sunday (as per Big League magazine):

Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Matt Evans, Jackson Ferris, Tyrone Phillips, Jack A. Williams (Capt), Braydon Trindall, Wes Lolo, Grant Garvey, Jimmy Jolliffe, Scott Sorensen, Siosifa Talakai, Jayson Bukuya.

Bench: Teig Wilton, Daniel Vasquez, Luke Polselli, Toby Rudolf, Josh Carr, Greg Eastwood.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

North Sydney:
Kieren Moss, Asu Kepaoa, Billy Smith, James Tuitahi, Bernard Lewis, Lachlan Lam, Drew Hutchison, Poasa Faamausili, Bradley Deitz, Lindsay Collins, Sitili Tupouniua, Thomas Freebairn, Max Bailey.

Bench: Jerry Key, Elih Jackson, Benjamin Thomas, Egan Butcher, John Tuivaiti.

Coach: Jason Taylor.

Here’s the NSWRL match preview:  https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2019/09/12/match-preview-north-sydney-v-newtown/

Highlights from the Newtown-Mounties elimination final:  https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2019/09/09/highlights–mounties-v-newtown—finals-week-1/

An interesting article from the NSWRL website on Newtown’s impressive back-rower Toby Rudolf:  https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2019/09/12/how-f45-and-a-dog-has-rudolf-back-on-track-for-nrl/

And an article on Will Kennedy from today’s online version of the Western Advocate (Bathurst):  https://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/6382377/kennedys-in-top-form-as-jets-prepare-to-battle-the-bears/?cs=116

Favourable assessments continue to be made on the updated version of the Jets club history, Taking It To The Streets – The Second Life of the Newtown RLFC.
Recent positive reviews have come from the club’s Official Patron, John Singleton, as well as from English rugby league writers and commentators Dave Hadfield, Harry Edgar and Alex Service.

This recently-released book is available online at: https://www.newtownjetsclothing.com.au/product/taking-it-to-the-street-the-second-life-of-the-newtown-rlfc/

You can also buy the book directly from the Newtown RLFC office by calling into the office (at 14 Rich St, Marrickville) or phoning 1300 36 36 90. It is also available in several inner-western book stores.