The oldest club in rugby league in Australia, founded back in 1908, has come from seventh place on the final competition table to claim the 2019 Canterbury Cup NSW premiership title.
The Jets came from behind in the grand final played at Bankwest Stadium on Sunday, scoring the winning try three minutes from the end of extra-time to defeat Wentworthville by 20-15.
The Wentworthville Magpies employed tough, physical tactics in trying to overcome and out-muscle a Newtown team that had more attacking potential than their opposition. The Magpies led 14-12 at halftime, and no further points were scored until the 75th minute when Jets halfback Braydon Trindall landed a long-distance, high-pressure penalty goal to draw the teams level at 14-all.
Wenty kicked a field goal early in the extra-time period and it looked they might grind their way to a 15-14 victory.
The Jets still had ammunition in their locker and they proceeded to turn on their most spectacular manoeuvre of the game, just three minutes out from the end of extra time. A high-quality set play involving lock Billy Magoulias and winger Tyrone Phillips ended in fullback and man of the match Will Kennedy sprinting 40 metres to score under the scores.
Long-serving Newtown Jets Director and financial benefactor Terry Rowney said it was an outstanding premiership win.
Photos: MICHAEL MAGEE PHOTOGRAPHY
“We lost six of our first seven competition games this year, and were still in 10th place on the points table with only four rounds remaining,” he said.
“Once we made the finals and developed some winning momentum, nothing was going to stop us. There really is something special about this old rugby league club”.
Trindall converted and the Jets stayed strong to run out winners by 20-15.
Newtown will now meet Burleigh Bears, the 2019 Queensland State Cup premiers, in the NRL Intrust Super State Championship Grand Final at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, October 6, at 1.35pm.