Jets

KOE NSW Cup Round 19

Saturday 12th July 2025

3pm

 HENSON PARK

Manly logo 2025 crop
Image: mafphotography
Image: mafphotography

Throw Back Thursday – Newtown’s Finest Hour On Its Biggest Stage

Each week thanks to Cryo, we look back at a moment in our rich history. Ahead of this second leg of the Frank Hyde Shield Clash against North Sydney this weekend, we revisit the 1943 Grand Final

NEWTOWN’S FINEST HOUR ON ITS BIGGEST STAGE

The 1943 NSWRL Grand Final delivered Newtown it’s third and final First Grade premiership. 

Newtown had actually finished the regular season minor premiers, although a loss to Norths in the first Semi-Final meant that if they wished to take the title, Newtown was required to play a grand final challenge, again against North Sydney.

The Blues hadn’t beaten Norths in their previous three encounters during that season, although two of Norths’ key players, captain-coach Hyde and hooker Frank Facer, came into the match carrying injuries. Norths had also lost star lock Harry Taylor, who was sent to Papua New Guinea for military service so suddenly that his club did not realise he wasn’t showing up until minutes before kick-off. 

The attendance on Grand Final Day 1943 set a record for the code. The day of the game coincided with an Austerity Day during which all horse and dog racing was banned throughout Australia. With no reserved seats and tickets only available at the gate, records numbers flocked to the Sydney Cricket Ground. The gates were closed an hour before kick-off, however, the sheer number of people outside the ground eventually caused them to be crashed open. The official figure recorded was 60,922, but many more people were believed to be in attendance.

Bluebags winger Sid Goodwin got things underway when he brushed off Stan Ridgway and Johnny McLachlan to score after 10 minutes. Goodwin completed his double minutes later, while tries to Jimmy Brailey and Bruce Ryan gave the Blues a 14-0 lead at the break.

North Sydney got on the board early in the second-half when McLachlan scored, while a subsequent penalty goal to Tedd Rudd made the score 14-7. However, from that point on though it was all Newtown. Expert tactics from coach Arthur Folwell neutralised Norths’ dangerous short kicking game and allowed the Bluebags to dominate possession. With second half tries to Herb Narvo, Len Smith and Frank Farrell, as well as five goals to Tom Kirk, Newtown skipped away with the game, chalking up a convincing 34-7 win.

At the time, it was the most points scored by a team during a grand final. 

Newtown 34 (Tries: Goodwin 2, Ryan, Brailey, Phillips, Narvo, Smith, Farrell. Goals: Kirk 5) defeated North Sydney 7 (Tries: McLachlan. Goals: Rudd 2). 

CRYO Sydney is proud to be Australia’s leader in cutting edge cryotherapy, fat cell reduction and LED technologies and treatments. For more information: www.cryo.com.au

Newtown and North Sydney line up for a picture prior to kick off in the 1943 NSWRFL Grand Final.
The Newtown RLFC 1943 First Grade team portrait.
Image: Harrison Tse

Newtown Jets Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Sat 12th July, 2025

TT Jets meal wide shot 603 high

TokyoTaco X Newtown Jets Meal – The Ultimate Footy Feast

Image: Harrison Tse

Newtown Jets Team List v North Sydney Bears Sat 5th July, 2025 (Frank Hyde Shield)

The class of defence that won Newtown this game ....
Sam McCulloch (left), Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa (top) and Josh Cook (below). (Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography)

Newtown Jets win one for the ages with a stirring second half performance

Image: Harrison Tse

Newtown Jets Team List v South Sydney Rabbitohs (Farrell Rayner Cup) Sun 29th July 2025

A fine image of Bruce Olive in his NSW playing jersey, superimposed over an image of him in a Newtown Bluebags photo.

Vale to Bruce Olive

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.