NSW Cup 2021: Why Newtown’s return to Henson Park could be the best day of the season
The Jets are back on their hallowed turf and were it not for COVID restrictions, the punters would be hanging off the King George V grandstand roof.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After almost a year and a half in the wilderness, the Newtown Jets are finally coming home to Henson Park.
Not only will the Jets be returning home for their first game on the hallowed turf in over 18 months for Saturday’s clash with the Knights, they will be celebrating the life of club legend Tommy Raudonikis, who died last week.
It’s also the first time Newtown will play at Henson since 2019, the year they won the NSW Cup grand final and State Championship.
Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
Were it not for COVID spacing restrictions, the punters would be hanging off the roof of the King George V grandstand and it’d be standing room only on the hill with the VB flowing and the BBQ working overtime — just how Tommy would have liked it.
Despite fans being a little bit further apart than normal, the Jets are still expecting a special atmosphere.
“It’s just a different feeling at Henson. We’re one of the only ones who create a bit of an atmosphere for a reserve grade game,” Jets coach Greg Matterson said.
“You play before a decent crowd and it does give you a bit of a lift. It can be hard to get motivated when you’re only playing in front of a dozen people.”
It promises to be a special day, and just the shot in the arm the Jets need — they are stranded in 10th on the NSW Cup ladder.
Cronulla’s injury troubles in first grade have meant the Jets have been similarly decimated, with key players constantly being called into the top grade.
As a result, only a handful of Matterson’s men have played at Henson before and that energy, plus the emotion of the tributes to Raudonikis, should give them a boost against the similarly depleted Knights.
“A lot of the blokes haven’t played here before or played in reserve grade in front of a big crowd,” Matterson said.
“It’ll be more emotional for the older people who are associated with the club. We want to put on a good performance to pay respect to Tommy.”
With regular halfback Braydon Trindall called up to the NRL, newly-minted Jet Tyla Tamou will wear the No.7 jersey Raudonikis helped make famous.
“He’s a young Cronulla kid, he was the star of the A-grade competition last year for De La Salle when they won the comp,” Matterson said. “He’s a runner, he’s an attacker, Jack Williams will steer the ship and Tyla can get at them with his speed and footwork.”
JERSEY FLEGG PREVIEW
NRL PRE-SEASON GRADUATES SPARK EELS
By Jocelyn Airth
“The greatest thing about rugby league, is that it’s on again next weekend” — that’s all Parramatta’s Jersey Flegg side needed to hear, after their deflating 40-22 loss to the Tigers over Easter.
Just five days later, the young Eels turned everything around to defeat the Sydney Roosters and nab their first win of 2021. But it was two NRL pre-season graduates who inspired the big turnaround — Aitasi James and Charbel Tasipale.
“(Aitasi) undoubtedly had his best game, ran for well over 150 metres was very dominant, it really looked like he had trained with the NRL (squad),” Parramatta’s Elite Pathways Coaching Director Joey Grima said.
“And Tasipale is our Mr Fix-it ... he played left edge against the Tigers, then we moved him to the right edge. Last week, he played left back row and left centre. He’s quite capable.”
The coaches are happy with Parramatta’s progress and feeling confident heading into Saturday’s clash against Manly.
Around the grounds, Canterbury will be looking to pull off a similar bounce back.
Over the last fortnight, they drew with the Tigers and lost to Souths via a heartbreaking Lachlan Illias field goal. On Saturday, the Bulldogs face a gritty Sydney Roosters side.
“It’ll be a tough game against the Roosters, they’re in the same boat as us … they’ll be looking for a win to get some confidence on board,” Bulldogs coach Luke Vella said.
“Individual errors keep putting us under pressure, certain players need to sort that out, as a collective if we can do that, we’ll put ourselves in a good chance to win.”
Vella expects lock forward Kurtis Morrin will add spark to the clash.
“He’s found a real spot among the team … he’s not too fresh off being a young father too, I think having a kid has opened his eyes up to how important life is, he’s been very good over the last few weeks,” Vella said.
“Debutant Josh Kalati will be coming off the bench for us … he’s been in the system for a while. It’s exciting for him to finally get a crack.”
In Penrith, the Panthers and Dragons will battle it out for top spot — both teams are undefeated and eager to test themselves on Saturday.
“We’ll get to challenge ourselves against the best … we’ll learn a lot from playing these guys,” Dragons coach Willie Talausaid.
Fullback Treigh Stewart has been strong in attack and Talau expects him to test the Panthers.
“He has been doing a really good job for us, he gets better week by week, I’m really excited about what he’s doing at training,” Talau said.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP — ROUND 6
Saturday, April 17
Panthers v Dragons, 11am, BlueBet Stadium
Bulldogs v Roosters, 12pm, Belmore Sports Ground
Manly v Eels, 12pm, Lottoland
Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers, 3pm, Stadium Australia
Sunday, April 18
Thunderbolts v Sharks, 2pm, Haines Drive Reserve, Melbourne
More Coverage
Whaley: Inglis’ NRLW switch a landmark moment for league
Not long ago NRLW stars were begging for media coverage, now two NRL greats are jumping head first into the action. There’s a long way to go but this is a massive leap, writes Pamela Whaley.
Wendell Sailor’s big call on assault charges
Brisbane Broncos and Wallabies great Wendell Sailor will fight allegations he assaulted two men, a court has been told.