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.

Newttown jets will return to Henson Park in force this weekend. Picture: Mario Facchini/mafphotography

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.

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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.

Newtown Jets fans will be out in force this weekend. Picture: Mario Facchini/mafphotography

“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.

The Newtown Jets will honour club legend Tom Raudonikis at Henson Park this weekend.

“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.

Parramatta back rower Charbel Tasipale, right, has been impressive for the Eels. Picture: Louis Bockos/Eels Media.

“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.

James Atasi had his best game of the season last weekend. Picture: Louis Bockos/Eels Media

“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