Newtown Jets fly high: Col Murphy on a golden era ahead of Henson Park festival

Forty-two years on, Newtown Jets’ legacy continues to thrive at Henson Park’s footy fest. Col Murphy reminisces about a golden era and the club’s enduring spirit that refuses to fade.

John Trad does a lap of the field each time the Jets score. He is pictured on the ground at half time. Picture: David Swift

The Bears are back in the big league, but for many Sydney fans, Newtown still wears the retro crown.

Forty-two years after they were axed from the top flight, no one waves the Jets flag with more pride than Col Murphy.

Blue Bags to the core – while he didn’t make it on the field – he was in the late-great Tom Raudonikis’ squad that ultimately fell to Parramatta in the 1981 grand final, and still lives in the same Newtown house he was born into 67 years ago.

Charismatic as ever, Murphy lifts the lid on a golden era set to take centre stage at Saturday’s Beer Footy and Food Festival, where Henson Park will again burst with hipsters and diehards for the NSW Cup clash with St George Illawarra Dragons.

“When I was a kid, Johnny Raper’s family lived down the road and you’d always see big names on the streets,” said Murphy, who after his playing days returned to coach the foundation club to a hat-trick of Metropolitan Cup titles from 1995.

“Even now, walking the streets and laneways, it’s amazing how many people you see who are relatives of famous players.

“You still see the odd jumper from back in the day too, although that doesn’t surprise me. We had to wash our own jumpers back then; at least one of mine got pinched off the clothesline.”

Tom Raudonikis jumps for joy after scoring for Newtown in the 1981 grand final. Teammates Phil Gould (left) and John "Chicka" Ferguson show their delight. Photo supplied by Terry Williams, Newtown RLFC.

With upwards of 10,000 fans expected to flood the Inner West venue, Murphy continues to be amazed by the club’s rising cult status.

“What the likes of Terry Rowney and Barry Vining have done at the club is brilliant,” said Murphy.

“The way they’ve linked with NRL clubs to keep the jumper alive and engage with younger generations is unbelievable. Geez, I remember running onto the field one day in the ‘80s and you could hear someone talking on the hill.”

From a time when party brands like KB beer and Winfield backed the game, for Murphy, an annual footy festival is way too long between drinks.

“It was a party every week back then,” Murphy recalled.

“After the game we’d head over to the Henson Hotel before linking up with the team we just played at the old Newtown Leagues Club at Stanmore. From there, we’d kick on to wherever we could, although there were a few places that didn’t want us.”

Col Murphy (right) and Australian boxing icon Johnny Lewis pose for a photograph at the celebration for Tommy Raudonikis day at Henson Park, 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Late nights aside, it was the arrival of future supercoach Warren Ryan that helped launch the Jets to the ‘81 decider — a move that still brings a smile to Murphy’s face more than four decades later.

“There was a great atmosphere at Newtown. Obviously, Warren attracted some great players, including Tommy and Graeme ‘Snake’ O’Grady from Wests.

“Graeme was a great pick-up, a good organiser, and super smart. I remember Warren talking and drawing on the chalkboard once, and I asked ‘Snake’ to explain what he was saying, but he just turned and said, ‘Don’t worry, Col, you’re in reserve grade.’”

With Jets memorabilia lining the walls of his garage, Murphy’s house has become the perfect venue to kick off each year’s club reunion. And although this year’s event is scheduled for the final round, Murphy remains just as excited about Saturday’s extravaganza and signed off with one special request.

“Some of Tommy’s ashes have been sprinkled on the field at Henson and also on the hill,” said Murphy.

“So before the game or at halftime, it would be good if they announce to the crowd that Tommy could be under their feet.”

For more info on The Beer Footy & Food Festival – click HERE