While combinations may take a little while to gel, the Newtown Jets will have every reason to fell positive about the start of the 2016 season with 11 Sharks NRL-contracted players set to turn out in the Royal Blue on Saturday.
With all 30 Sharks full-time players fit for round one this weekend, the Jets are set to be the beneficiaries when they take to the field with a top notch side for their game against the Bulldogs where they will be keen to get their 2016 campaign in the newly branded Intrust Super Premiership (Formerly the NSW Cup) off to a winning start.
Mitch Brown and Junior Roqica have played for the Jets previously, while for the likes Jordan Drew, Josh Cleeland and Kurt Capewell, tomorrow at Henson Park is set to be a new experience.
Jets and Sharks fans alike will be interested to see the three Queenslanders go around, with all showing glimpses of their talents in the Jets final trial match against the Wests Tigers two weeks ago.
Also looking to make an impression in a bid to push for NRL selection will be Fa’amanu Brown, selected at half back for the Jets tomorrow, and new recruit Jesse Sene-Lafao who has a battle on his hands to win a spot in the strong Sharks NRL forward pack.
The Jets would have been disappointed in finishing outside the top eight in 2015 and are sure to be hoping to make amends this season, starting with a victory over what on paper appears a solid Bulldogs outfit.
Another club with good depth, the Canterbury side will feature a number of players with NRL experience, including Tyrone Phillips, Lloyd Perrett, Pat O’Hanlon and former Sharks junior Shaun Lane.
The Jets and Bulldogs match is set to get underway at 3.00pm at the spiritual home of the Newtown Club at Henson Park.
Sharks Members are reminded that as part of their 2016 Membership they receive FREE entry into all Jets home matches at Henson Park.
Intrust Super Premiership – Team List Round 1
Newtown Jets v Bulldogs
Saturday, March 5
Henson Park
Kick-off 3.00pm
1 ARANA TAUMATA
2 MITCH BROWN
3 JORDAN DREW
4 MATT EVANS
5 JACOB GAGAN
6 JOSH CLEELAND
7 FA'AMANU BROWN
8 JUNIOR ROQICA
9 MATT MCILWRICK
10 JESSE SENE-LEFAO
11 ANTHONY MORAITIS
12 KURT CAPEWELL
13 JASON SCHIRNACK
Interchange
14 KURT DILLON
15 KURT KARA
17 MYLES TAUELI
21 MALAKAI HOUMA
COACH GREG MATTERSON
