NSW Cup Finals Preview: Jets v Raiders

Author: Shanice Duarte Newtown Jets Media
Timestamp: Thu 4 Sep 2025, 01:12 PM

The Newtown Jets step onto the finals tightrope this Saturday afternoon when they take on the Canberra Raiders in a sudden-death final at Kogarah.

The Raiders head into the first week of finals with plenty of momentum, having won their last seven games, whereas the Jets haven't tasted victory since late July, when they beat the Dragons at Henson Park.

That said, the Raiders have experienced some major changes this week after NRL coach Ricky Stuart elected to rest most of his first-grade side. 2025 NSW Cup leading try scorer, Noah Martin, has been called up to the Raiders' NRL squad, as has leading point scorer, Adam Cook.

Meanwhile, Jets halfback Niwhai Puru will miss the match with a pectoral injury picked up during last week's loss to Manly Sea Eagles. He is replaced by Sharks Jersey Flegg halfback Riley Pollard, who impressed in the NSW Cup earlier this season.

Hooker Jayden Berrell and prop Tuku Hau Tapuha return to the Jets after being selected in the Sharks' NRL squad last week and are likely to play big roles.

In their previous meetings this season, the Jets have been unsuccessful against Chris Lewis' Raiders and historically have only won three of their last 12 total clashes.

Despite Newtown entering this final series on a three-game losing streak, while also battling some injury concerns, coach George Ndaira isn't too concerned.

"It's a good opportunity for the players to bounce back and put a good performance in," Ndaira says.

With some big names out of the picture for this weekend's matchup, the young guns will have to step up to the plate in this all-or-nothing elimination final.

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Saturday 6 Sep

Full Time

Jets

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Jets is number 1 Riley Jones

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Ethan Alaia
Winger for Jets is number 2 Kristian Dixon

Winger for Raiders is number 2 Luke Tuialii
Centre for Jets is number 3 Chris Vea'ila

Centre for Raiders is number 3 Atini Tuialii
Centre for Jets is number 4 Michael Gabrael

Centre for Raiders is number 4 Mutua Brown
Winger for Jets is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jensen Taumoepeau
Five-Eighth for Jets is number 6 Khaled Rajab

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Shaun Packer
Halfback for Jets is number 7 Riley Pollard

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Braydan Darmody

Forwards

Prop for Jets is number 8 Tuku Hau Tapuha

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Mitchell Prest
Hooker for Jets is number 9 Jayden Berrell

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Malachi Smith
Prop for Jets is number 10 Max Bradbury

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Vena Patuki-Case
2nd Row for Jets is number 11 Kyle Pickering

2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Jordan Uta
2nd Row for Jets is number 12 Dylan Coutts

2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Jaxon Lavender
Lock for Jets is number 18 Hohepa Puru

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Myles Martin

Interchange

Interchange for Jets is number 13 Blake Hosking

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Caleb Garvie
Interchange for Jets is number 14 Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa

Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Jake Clydsdale
Interchange for Jets is number 17 Eli Clark

Interchange for Raiders is number 20 Sylas Simon
Interchange for Jets is number 19 Bradley Fearnley

Interchange for Raiders is number 21 Jai Purser