From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Newtown Jets
Newtown Jets
Newtown
History
The club was founded on 14 January 1908 at a public
meeting held at Newtown Town Hall, making it the sec-
ond rugby league football club in Australia and the oldest
now in existence. The first club, Glebe, was formed on 9
January 1908. When the ’Dirty Reds’ (Glebe) were contro-
Club information versially excluded from the NSWRL Premiership in 1929,
Full name Newtown District Rugby Newtown became the oldest Australian club.
League Football Club There is some argument however over whether or
not Newtown was actually the first Rugby league club in
Nickname(s) Bluebags
Australia, formed on 8 January 1908 (one day earlier than
Short name Newtown Glebe). The club’s website stands by this claim however
Founded 1908 as Newtown other sources, most notably Terry Williams’ book "Out
of the Blue (The History of Newtown RLFC)", refute this
Departed 1983 claim. Rugby league historian Sean Fagan similarly holds
Former details that the date of 14 January 1908 is the correct foundation
day.
Ground(s) Henson Park Newtown played in the NSWRL competition from
Marrickville, Sydney (30,000[1])
1908-1983. They won the 1910 NSWRFL Premiership after
Competition NSWRFL drawing the final was enough to see them win due to
being minor premiers.[2] A Newtown winger, Jack Scott,
was the first to score a try in the New South Wales Rugby
League premiership. Known as the "Newtown Bluebags"
for most of its lifetime, the club adopted the Jets nick-
name in 1973, perhaps referring to Newtown’s catchment
area extending to Sydney Airport. Or perhaps due to the
close proximity of the club’s home ground, Henson Park,
to the major east/west flight path for the airport. The
club won premierships in 1910, 1933 and 1943, finishing
Team colours second in 1913, 1914, 1929, 1944, 1954–55 and 1981. The
Records 1981 team, which played in the club’s final NSWRL pre-
miership grand final, included the legends of game Tom-
Premierships 3 (1910, 1933, 1943) my Raudonikis and Phil Gould. It was coached by Warren
Runners-up 7 (1913, 1914, 1929, 1944, 1954, 1955, Ryan.
1981)
Minor 6 (1910, 1933, 1943, 1944, 1954, 1955)
premiership
"Bluebags")
The Newtown Jets (formerly known as the "Bluebags"
are an Australian rugby league football club representing
Newtown, New South Wales. They currently compete in
the NSWRL Premier League competition. Based at Hen-
son Park in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville, the Jets Newtown (left captained by Frank Farrell), lines up with
have team colours of royal blue and white. Norths before the 1943 Grand final
Established in 1908, Newtown were one of the found-
ing members of the New South Wales Rugby Football
League and competed continuously in the NSWRL pre-
miership until their departure in 1983.
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Newtown Jets
Ejection from the Premiership
Financial pressures forced the team out of the NSWRL
Premiership at the end of 1983. The club continued to
seek readmission, pursuing various different alterna-
tives. One such alternative, proposed for the 1985 season
(after a planned one-year sojourn from the League) in-
volved a full relocation to Orana Park, at Campbelltown
in south/west Sydney.
This plan involved a name change for the club, to the
Newtown-Campbelltown Jets. The proposal, including a
new logo with the new name on the traditional royal blue
jersey, was approved by the football club directors. In the
end these plans fell through, as the economic recession
of the early 1980s prevented the club from finding a suit-
able buyer of the Newtown Leagues Club, on Stanmore
Road, Stanmore.
This left the "Jets" out of the premier Australian Rug-
by league competitions. Several years later the Jets were
able to sell their clubhouse, now the Cypriot Club, but by
then time had elapsed and readmission to the top flight
League was not considered.
It is worth noting, however, that for a short time in
their final season of 1983, the Jets called Campbelltown
Dick Poole in action 1954 home. As a show of commitment to the Campbelltown
area, with a new junior league structure ready to be im-
The 1973 Wills Cup Final win plemented at the Jets’ instigation, Newtown played most
Jack Gibson took over as Newtown coach in 1973. Gibson home games of the club’s final season, at Orana Park in
picked his team solely on form, irrespective of seniority. Campbelltown.
The great Brian Moore had been relegated to the reserves Ultimately, when the final deal between Newtown
bench throughout the preliminary rounds of the tour- and the Campbelltown junior rugby league fell through
nament, and youngsters like Ian Satori, Dennis Gardiner, in 1984 and it was confirmed by 1985 that Newtown
Peter Parry and Warren Snodgrass were all given a would not be returning to top flight competition, the
chance in the top grade. The Newtown side for the final Ashfield/Lidcombe-based Western Suburbs Magpies, sus-
was: pended by the League at the same time as Newtown but
B. Cox, M. Cohen, D. Oliveri, J. Bonham, J. Bradstock, having had the financial resources to earn a stay of ex-
K. Wilson, D. O’Connor (c), N. Pringle, G. Sullivan, P. Par- ecution, swiftly negotiated a deal whereby Wests would
ry, T. Melville, M. Robertson and D. Gardiner. move all home games to Campbelltown and claim owner-
The St. George line up was: ship of the vast junior league in south-western Sydney.
G. Langlands, G. Carr, E. Goodwin, R. Clapham, J.
Clapham, A. Branson, M. Shulman, L. Drake, P. Fitzgerald, Players
R. Reddy, I. Toga, C. Rasmussen, M. Welborn and H. Eden.
The match was played under floodlights at the old 2010 Squad
Sydney Sports Ground on St Patricks day before a crowd
of 13,180. At half time St George were up 15-2 and looked Newtown Jets 2010
certain to win. In the second half the Newtown forward First team squad Coachi
pack gave the Saints a taste of their own medicine which staff
helped gain tries for Melville and Robertson, both con- • Chris • Johnathon Ford • Dylan Head c
verted by Ken Wilson which reduced the St George lead Afamasaga - FB Sharp - PR • Gre
to 15-12. Brian Moore, brought on at half time, scored the - SR • Anaru Grant - SR • Chris Ma
final try, converted by Ken Wilson which sealed victory • Russell • Charlie Tuatara - Assista
for Newtown in the last minute, making the game one of Aitken - FE Herekotukutuku WG coach
the most exciting comeback wins in Rugby League histo- • Tinirau - HB • Ryan • Luk
ry. Arona - PR • Richard Kambo - Verlinden Legend:
CE - PR • (c) C
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Newtown Jets
• Jason • Paul Kiely - CE • Jason • (vc) Vice
• De La Salle Petersham
Baitieri - • James Wells - PR captain
• Koorie United
LK Koloamatangi - • Tim Updated: 23 Fe-
• Petersham RSL
• Brad PR Weyman - bruary 2010
• Newtown Waratahs
Barrett - • Drew Lanston - PR Source(s): New-
• Enmore CYO
SR FB town Jets - NSW
• St Anthony’s
• Justin • Guy Lanston - CUP
• Erskineville United
Coveney - WG
• St Thomas’s
SR • Charlie Leaeno -
• Newtown Police Boys’ Club (folded to become
• Ben Darcy PR
Newtown Hawks)
- HB • Tu’u Maori - CE
• St Brigid’s De La Salle (Marrickville)
• Khalid • Ray Moujalli - PR
• Hurlstone Park
Deeb - PR • Keith Peters - HK
• Enmore United
• Nick Doig - • Troy Savage - CE
Some notable Newtown juniors include;
HK
• Johnny Raper (Camperdown Dragons)
• Daniel
• Ron & Phil Sigsworth (Newtown Hawks)
Fepuleai -
• Mark & Geoff Bugden (Marrickville)
HK
• Paul Osborne (Christian Bros Lewisham)
• Brett
• Col Murphy (Newtown Hawks)
Fitzpatrick
• Frank "Bumper" Farrell (Marrickville).[3]
- LK
• Frank Hyde
• Liam
• Brian "Poppa" Clay (St Peters)
Foran - FE
• Byron
Ford - WG
Metropolitan Cup
The club re-emerged in 1990 to play in the third-tier NSW
competition, the Metropolitan Cup, winning the title 4
times (1992, 1995, 1996 & 1997). The club no longer en-
Newtown District Junior Rugby ters a team in the NSWRL Jim Beam Cup due to it an-
nouncing in the off-season after the 2006 season of the
League NSWRL Jim Beam Cup that it would now only concentrate
The Newtown District Junior Rugby League (NDJRL) com- on the Premier League Side. 1990 1991 1992 coach was
petition ended after the ejection of the club from the brian wacka wakefield
NSWRL premiership in 1983. The NDJRL was absorbed
mainly into the South Sydney District Junior Rugby NSWRL NSW Cup
League and also a small part into the St George and In 2000, Newtown entered a team in the NSWRL Premier
Canterbury-Bankstown districts. League, the second-tier NSW competition to the NRL.
Existing junior clubs that were formerly part of the While a stand-alone club for many purposes, they have
Newtown district include; acted as a feeder for NRL teams such as Auckland and,
currently, Sydney Roosters.
• Camperdown Dragons (now in South Sydney)
They are still very popular for a second division squad
• Marrickville RSL (now in South Sydney) with the attendances at Henson Park being the highest in
the NSWRL Premier League. Their attendance is always
• Earlwood Saints (now in St George) announced as being 8972 - this is said in jest over the
• Christian Brothers Lewisham (now only compete tannoy and is a tribute to their final premiership atten-
in school competitions) dance in 1983. Henson Park is widely known as offering
Some extinct Newtown junior clubs include; the spectator a more traditional Rugby League experi-
ence with unique aspects such as a sausage sizzle on the
• St Peters ground’s hill, canned beer and drive-in viewing of the
game.
• Newtown Hawks
In 2006, Newtown lost to the Parramatta Eels 20-19
• Tempe Iona Warriors in extra time in the Premier League Grand Final due to
a field goal from Eels halfback Marcus Perenara after
• Addison Royals (Addison Road Sports Club) three minutes of golden point extra time. 2006 was also
• Henson Park Colts
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Newtown Jets
Newtown’s most successful Season in the NSWRL Premier • 54-4 v Parramatta at Belmore Oval, 5 Jun 1983
League to date. • 50-2 v Manly at Brookvale Oval, 14 Aug 1977
In 2007, Jets history was created when they did not • 54-10 v St George at Kogarah Oval, 24 Jul 1960
wear the royal blue jersey during a match with the Auck- • 44-0 v Cronulla at Endeavour Field, 23 Jul 1978
land Lions. Neither side had a clash jersey, and as the Jets • 62-18 v Parramatta at Henson Park, 20 Aug 1978.
were the visiting side they were forced to wear Sydney
Roosters away jerseys. For 100 years prior to that game, Individual
the Jets had never failed to wear their royal blue jerseys. • : Geoff Bugden (1980).
The Club had a less fortunate season compared to 2006, • : Len Smith (1948).
failing to make the Finals or even make the Top 10.[4] • : Jack Gibson (1973), Warren Ryan (1981).
In 2008, Newtown again made the Grand Final of the • , Australia: Albert Johnston (1919–20), Len Smith
newly formed NSW Cup. In an extraordinary game (1948), Keith Froome (1949).
against the Wentworthville Magpies, the Jets scored first • , Australia: Dick Poole (1957).
and led 8-4 at half time. At full time scores were locked • , Australia (34): Jack Barnett, Tony Brown, Frank
at 8-8, again forcing the game into extra time, an ironic Cheadle, Gordon Clifford, Tedda Courtney, Bill
repeat of the 2006 decider. Finally after 24 minutes of ex- Fransworth, Viv Fransworth, Frank Farrell, Arthur
tra time and dozens of attempts at field goals from both Folwell, Keith Froome, Col Geelan, Henry Holloway,
teams, Captain Sean Rudder erred in kicking out on the Jack Holmes, Frank Johnson, Albert Johnston, Paddy
full. This gave the Magpies good field position and al- McCue, Brian Moore, Noel Mulligan, Joe Murray,
lowed them to score the winning try in the corner. After Herb Narvo, William Neill, Bill Noble, Dick Poole,
the longest ever grand final match, Wentworthville won Paul Quinn, Tom Raudonikis, Charlie Russell, Felix
12-8. Ryan, Phil Sigsworth, Len Smith, Gary Sullivan, Dick
Townsend, Jack Troy, Lionel Williamson, Graham
Return To Redfern Wilson.
On the 5th of February 2011, The Jets played a trial game records:
Match records
against long term rivals, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, at • Most tries: 6 - Jack Troy v Easts, 8 Jul 1950.
Redfern Oval. South Sydney won on the day 10-4. • Most goals: 11 - Tom Kirk
• v St George, 3 Jun 1944
Film • v St George, 26 Aug 1944.
• Most points: 25 - Tom Kirk (1T, 11G) v St George, 26
On 20 August 2007, a film depicting the club, The Final Aug 1944.
Winter starring and written by former rugby league foot- records:
Season records
baller Matt Nable was released in cinemas across Aus- • Most tries: 34-Ray Preston, 1954.
tralia. • Most points: 197-Ken Wilson (5T,90G,2FG), 1980.
records:
Career records
Honours and records • Most tries: 109 - Ray Preston.
• Most points: 1,001 - Ken Wilson (25T, 447G, 28FG).
• Most appearances: 204 - Frank Farrell.
Team register:
Coaching register
• (3): 1910, 1933, 1943. • Arthur Halloway (1923)
• (7): 1913, 1914, 1929, 1944, 1954 1955, 1981. • Albert ’Ricketty’ Johnston (1923), (1924–25)
• (5): 1919, 1921, 1928, 1944, 1950. • Bill Farnsworth (1924)
• : 1973. • Charles ’Boxer’ Russell* (1933), (1934–39)
• : 1973. • Frank Burge (1940)
• : 1937, 1942. • Percy Williams (1941)
• : 1941, 1945. • Arthur Folwell* (1942–44)
• : • Frank Farrell (1946–51)
• 51-0 v Illawarra at Henson Park, 2 May 1982 • Frank Johnston (1952–53),
• 55-7 v St George at SCG, 26 Aug 1944 • Col Geelan (1954)
• 48-3 v University at Henson Park, 12 May 1937 • Dick Poole (1955–58), (1966–68)
• 52-7 v St George at SCG, 3 Jun 1944 • Charles ’Chicka’ Cahill (1959–61)
• 50-6 v Manly at SCG, 13 Jun 1955. • Allan Ellis (1962–65)
• : • Harry Bath (1969–71)
• 65-9 v St George at Kogarah Oval, 30 Jul 1961 • Jack Gibson (1973)
• 57-6 v Manly at Henson Park, 16 May 1976 • Clarrie Jeffreys (1974–76)
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Newtown Jets
• Paul Broughton (1977–78) • Herb Narvo
• Johnny Raper (1978) • Graham Wilson
• Warren Ryan (1979–82) • Felix Ryan & Noel Mulligan
• Brian Moore (1983) Coach: Warren Ryan
Team of the century Footnotes
In 2008, the centenary year of rugby league in Australia,
the Newtown Jets club named an 18-man team of the cen- [1] www.austadiums.com
tury: [2] "Football". The Sydney Mail: pp. 54. 21 September
• Gordon Clifford 1910. http://news.google.com/
• Phil Sigsworth newspapers?id=Z0sQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HJIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3205,3960
• Lionel Williamson Retrieved 2009-12-13.
• Charles Russell [3] [1]
• Dick Poole [4] NSWRL 2007 Table retrieved 20 December 2007
• Len Smith
• Brian Moore External links
• Bill Farnsworth
• Newtown Jets Homepage
• Tony Brown
• Newtown Jets at rl1908.com
• Keith Froome
• Newtown stats at rleague.com
• Frank Farrell (c)
• Newtown Jets Rugby League Team of Century 2008 at
• Paddy McCue
rugbyleaguedigest.com.au
• Paul Quinn
• Arthur Folwell
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newtown_Jets"
Categories: Newtown Jets, Australian rugby league teams, Rugby clubs established in 1908, Rugby league teams in Syd-
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