Image: mafphotography
Image: mafphotography

Throw Back Thursday – Wok and Wilson Engineer Boilover at Belmore

Each week, thanks to Cryo, we look back at a significant moment in our rich history. Today, Warren Ryan’s selection strategy upsets the defending premiers, Canterbury-Bankstown

WOK AND WILSON ENGINEER BOILOVER AT BELMORE

It was the controversial call that ultimately paid dividends for Newtown coach Warren Ryan.

Leading into Newtown’s round seven clash against Canterbury in 1981 at Belmore Sports Ground, coach Ryan had a tough call to make. After missing the previous two premiership games through injury, club captain and representative halfback, Tommy Raudonikis, was due to return to top grade football. In Raudonikis’ absence, veteran half Ken Wilson and been playing extremely well, guiding the Jets to consecutive wins over Manly and Penrith.

To the shock of many in the league community, Ryan opted to retain Wilson for the clash against the defending premiers and named Raudonikis, who had played for Australia the previous season, in reserve grade. It was a good decision, with Wilson once again playing the role of match winner as Newtown beat Canterbury 24-14. 

With Wilson calling the shots, the Jets fired early, taking a 9-nil lead after 10 minutes. However, a spectacular individual try to Canterbury winger – and Newtown junior – Steve Gearin inspired the Bulldogs, who, by halftime, had drawn level. From that point on though, it was all Newtown, with two tries to flying winger John Ferguson and a 15 point haul to Wilson helping the Blues to their first premiership win over Canterbury since 1974. Even Raudonikis got in on the action, making an impressive 20 minute cameo off the bench during which he managed to daze replacement Neil Baker, who subsequently had to be replaced.

Unsurprisingly, it was Wilson who swept up all the official man-of-the-match awards post game, much to the pleasure (and probably relief) of his coach.

“What he has done for us in the last few games has been fantastic,” Ryan enthused.

“He has averaged 11.3 points a game and you can’t overlook those sorts of figures.”

The win was Newtown’s fourth on the trot, a streak which included a famous win against Wally Lewis’s Combined Brisbane in the Tooth Cup. It was also the Jets’ first top grade win over its blue and white rivals since 1974.

Newtown 24 (John Ferguson 2, Ray Blacklock, Ken Wilson tries; Ken Wilson 6 goals) defeated Canterbury-Bankstown 14 (Steve Gearin 2 tries, 4 goals) at Belmore Sports Ground. Scrums: Newtown 18-9. Penalties: Canterbury-Bankstown 11-4. Referee: Greg Hartley. Crowd: 12, 157.

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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.