Game Summary
The Newtown Jets have booked their spot in the Minor Semi-final with a thrilling 24-18 Elimination Final win over defending premiers the Warriors, at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.
The Jets, missing several players to NRL duties including Riley Pollard and Toby Rudolf, struck first through Chris Vea'ila in the third minute, set up by a clever inside ball from Taj Ford. Kayliss Fatialofa hit back for the Warriors in the ninth minute, but the Jets took control from there, with Samuel Stonestreet finishing superbly in the corner in the thirteenth minute and Kristian Dixon crossing in the 16th off the back of more creative work from Ford.
Jaxon Lavender added a fourth try for the Jets in the 20th minute, pouncing on a lucky bounce off a Ford grubber to push the margin out further and cap a dominant opening quarter for Newtown.
The Warriors continued to search for answers, with Kayliss Fatialofa grabbing his second in the thirty-second minute after more good work from Luke Hanson, and Jack Thompson crossing in the 33rd to cut the margin back to single figures and set up a grandstand finish.
Both Kristian Dixon and Samuel Stonestreet would each finish with two tries on the day, while Taj Ford was the difference-maker throughout, setting up three tries despite starting the year in and out of the Jets side.
With the Jets down to their bench hooker options and dealing with an injury to Jayden Berrell, the Warriors piled on the pressure in the dying minutes. However, a costly knock-on and a gutsy strip in the final set sealed the contest sending Newtown through 24-18.
It ends the Warriors' title defence, finishing a season that saw them lose five of their first nine matches before storming into finals contention with six straight wins and a draw. For the Jets it is the first step in a finals campaign that could be boosted by the return of a handful of stars in week two, following their Round 27 NRL duties.
Talking Points
Taj Ford was the difference-maker, setting up three tries and continually finding gaps for the Jets despite starting the year in and out of the side.
The Jets' defence held out an extraordinary sequence of three consecutive drop-outs late in the first half, a passage of play that both commentators labelled crucial to the result.
Kayliss Fatialofa and Luke Hanson combined superbly for the Warriors, providing their main avenue to attack throughout the match.
Injuries to Jayden Berrell and Brandon Norris tested the depth of both benches in the closing stages, with the Jets forced to shuffle their hooker rotation.
Key Moment
With four minutes to go and the Jets clinging to a six-point lead, the Warriors won back-to-back sets. A slow ruck on the last tackle forced Liam Ison into a rushed option, and moments later Rajab produced a match-saving strip in-goal to deny the Warriors a certain try, sealing the win for Newtown.
What's next?
The Jets progress to the Minor Semi-final up against the North Sydney Bears, while the Warriors' season comes to an end. Newtown will hope for the return of players released for NRL duty as they push towards a Grand Final berth.
