Grand Final Preview: NSW Cup

It may sound like a cliché, but the Newtown Jets are treating the lead-up to Sunday's historic Knock-On Effect NSW Cup grand final against the North Sydney Bears like any other week.

The Jets, who act as the feeder team for Cronulla, feel a sense of normality due to the fact the Sharks' Jersey Flegg Cup and NRL teams are still alive as well, allowing the three men's grades to adhere to their regular training schedules.

"It's definitely started off as just a normal week, which is probably not a bad thing," Newtown head coach George Ndaira said, with his team earning a place in the big dance after grimly defeating the Raiders 18-16 last week.

Externally, at least, the hype for the NSW Cup finale continues to gather steam. Kicking off at 3pm, the stage is set at CommBank Stadium for an epic battle.

It's a dream scenario: the two foundation clubs, established in 1908, will face off in a grand final for the first time since they met in the 1943 NSWRFL decider (won 34-7 by the Jets). While no longer playing at the top level, both teams have retained staunch fan bases who will undoubtedly turn out in droves.

"When you think about how many teams have been in the competition, the rich history between Newtown and North Sydney and for there to only be one decider (involving them) 80 years ago, it's quite amazing," Ndaira said.

The Jets and Bears have created an enthralling modern rivalry, with the ledger sitting at 2-1 in North Sydney's favour after three tight tussles in 2024.

They clashed only a fortnight ago in a grand final qualifier, the Bears prevailing 18-16 after finishing the regular season one point above Newtown in first place.

"They always turn up, compete really hard and don't give anything away. Nothing's ever easy, so we're expecting another tough game," Ndaira said.

"We expect them to come out and make it a really tough battle. We need to make sure we turn up with the right attitude as well, ready to match it."

Newtown are aiming to hoist the NSW Cup for the first time since 2019, when a team featuring current Sharks NRL guns like Blayke Brailey, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Will Kennedy, Toby Rudolf, Teig Wilton, Siosifa Talakai and Sione Katoa defeated Wentworthville.

Ndaira paid tribute to the fruitful Jets-Sharks union, which began in 2015, with the relationship a key pillar of the overall Cronulla development system.

"Even a lot of part-timers that are in the (NSW Cup) squad are Cronulla Sharks juniors and have been through the grades at the Sharks," Ndaira enthused.

Injuries to the NRL squad this year have given several Jets players the chance to step up to first grade, in turn opening the door for a handful of Cronulla's Flegg up-and-comers to tackle hardened opponents in reserve grade.

Newtown stars including Billy Burns, Jayden Berrell, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Liam Ison, Mawene Hiroti and Sam Stonestreet have performed strongly when given a crack in the NRL.

The next generation is as promising as the club's depth of talent, with the Flegg Sharks taking on the Bulldogs at 11am to begin Sunday's grand final festivities.

"It shows the strength within the club and the partnership," Ndaira said.

A vocal crowd willed the Jets to victory over Canberra at Leichhardt Oval last week. Ndaira is calling on fans to again pack the stands and find their voice.

"It's really important. It's one of the really good things about having a strong supporter base but also having the Flegg there too," the coach said.

"I'd definitely like to see more blue in the crowd than black and red. I think we can definitely at least win that battle in the stands," he concluded.