An 80th minute penalty goal from Mawene Hiroti has seen the Newtown Jets play out a thrilling 22-all draw with the Bulldogs and claim the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup minor premiership.
The Jets went into the game needing either a win or a draw in their final regular season match, and they left it late, a penalty for an indiscretion against Franklin Pele resulting in the penalty and the subsequent two points which levelled up the scores on the full time siren.
It was a topsy-turvy affair, featuring a number of lead changes throughout the match, with the Bulldogs taking what appeared to be a match-winning advantage with under 10 minutes left on the clock, however the Jets showed plenty of character to hang in and earn the one competition point which will now see them enjoy a week off in the first round of the KOE NSW Cup Finals.
The win was all the more meritorious considering the injury toll of the Sharks NRL squad, meaning NSW Cup regulars such as Lochie Miller, Kayal Iro, Luke Metcalf and Brayden Trindall who has also played a number of games for the Jets this year, along with the currently injured Kade Dykes and Matt Ikuvalu, were all missing from the Newtown team for this vital match.
The Jets try scorers, which included Addison Demetriou, Kayne Kalache, Reubenn Rennie and Tyla Tamou, none of whom are currently training with the Sharks NRL squad, shows the depth of talent at the Newtown club and the character displayed in getting the crucial result in today's game.
In finishing on top of the competition table, the Jets now have a week off to rest up and recover, with the Panthers, Bulldogs, Bears and Eels the other teams to qualify for the five-team NSW Cup Finals series.
