After a heartbreaking loss against the ladder leaders Mounties last weekend the Newtown Jets will be looking to regroup in a big to stay in the hunt for a top four berth when they battle the Bears at Henson Park on Saturday.
The Jets conceded a try on full time, with the match winning conversion coming after the fulltime buzzer last Saturday, but if looking for a positive, pushing the first placed Mounties to the 80th minute should give the Newtown boys a shot of confidence heading into the competition finals in two weeks’ time.
The task against North Sydney will present its own set of challenges however, with the teams to play for the Frank Hyde Shield in a match that will have a bearing on finishing positions inside the top eight.
With a win and other results falling in their favour, the Jets could potentially finish inside the top four, while the Bears will be desperate for a victory considering they are currently even on 24 points and clinging to a spot in the eight on for-and-against.
The Intrust Super Premiership will wind up its home and away season one week earlier than the NRL, meaning there are just two matches left before the finals get underway.
The Jets will again look for strong contributions from the likes of Josh Cleeland and Fa’amanu Brown in the halves, Kurt Capewell in the back row and hooker Matt McIlwrick.
Anthony Moraitis, the scorer of two tries against Mounties, has been shifted to the centres for this week’s clash with the Bears. While predominantly a second rower, Moraitis has extensive experience in the backline having played numerous games in that position for the NYC Sharks over the previous three seasons.
The Jets v Bears match is scheduled for a 3.00pm kick-off at Henson Park on Saturday.
See following more game day information and a preview supplied courtesy of NSWRL.com.au.
By Simon Masterton
NSWRL.com.au
Newtown Jets v North Sydney Bears
Henson Park, Saturday 20 August - 3pm
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judges: John Woods, Faye Lehane
Broadcast LIVE on www.SteeleSports.com.au
The Newtown Jets would be kicking themselves after surrendering a big lead last week to go down to competition front-runners, Mounties. The Bears, meanwhile, suffered an embarrassing 42-6 defeat at the hands of Illawarra last week, which raises some serious questions over their finals-contending credentials for the 2016 season.
The Jets are full of class, and will be steered around the park by Josh Cleeland and Fa’amanu Brown, and with the likes of Jaline Graham, Jacob Gagan and Kurt Capewell in their starting line-up, it is hard to see how the Bears will be able match them in any position on the field.
Both sides are desperate for a victory, with the Jets knocking on the door of the top four, and the Bears hanging by a thread in eighth position on the ladder. Besides Dane Nielsen and David Tyrrell, there is next to no NRL experience in the North Sydney line-up, and it is tough to see how they can defeat a Jets side with so much to play for.
For team lists, all matches in round 24 of the ISP and a competition table, go to the Match Centre link below.
Intrust Super Premiership match centre – CLICK HERE
