Jets inspired by Greats

Newtown Jets Draw Inspiration from Greats of the Past for Sunday's Grand Final

The Newtown Jets take on Parramatta in Sunday?s VB Premier League Grand Final at Telstra Stadium.

It might be 23 years since Newtown last played in the NSW Rugby League first grade premiership competition, and 25 years since Newtown played Parramatta in the 1981 first grade grand final, but the Jets are receiving plenty of good wishes from a variety of high-profile identities closely associated with the famous old Foundation Rugby League club.

Newtown?s current Official Club Patron and Life Member John Singleton attended the Jets training session at Wentworth Park on Tuesday afternoon and spoke to the players. ?Singo?s? message was simple and straight to the point: ?I?m backing you blokes all the way! Go out and do the jersey proud!?

Former Jets and NSW State of Origin front-rower and now the popular mine host at the Hurstville Ritz Hotel, Big Steve Bowden, laid on dinner for the 2006 VB Premier League Grand Finalists at the Ritz on Tuesday night. ?Bowdo? and several of his 1981 Newtown Jets team-mates Ken Wilson, Jim Walters, Ray Blacklock, Les Motto (Head Trainer) and Steve Blyth all spoke to the players and joined them for dinner in the stylishly-appointed Hurstville Ritz Function Room.

The legendary Tom Raudonikis, who only recently underwent major bypass surgery, will be with the Newtown Jets team in the dressing rooms at Telstra Stadium prior to Sunday?s Grand Final. Raudonikis of course captained the Jets in the famous 1981 grand final against Parramatta.

The Jets have received good luck messages in recent days from the following identities:

Charles ?Chicka? Cahill, a member of Newtown?s 1943 first grade premiership winning team and a former President of the Newtown Bluebags

Lionel Williamson, former Newtown first grade captain and former Australian winger

Frank Hyde and family (Frank played with Newtown from 1934 to 1937)

Dick Poole, former Newtown Bluebags captain-coach and former Australian captain-coach in 1957.

The club has received a huge number of messages from other Newtown supporters and former players from within Sydney, in NSW, Queensland and overseas (including one email from a supporter in Finland!)