Sydney Roosters dump Newtown Jets as their feeder club

[DIEHARD]

Sydney Roosters dump Newtown Jets as their feeder club

The long-standing relationship between the Roosters and Newtown will end at the end of this year.

The Jets have been the feeder team for the Roosters for the past nine seasons, an association that culminated in the tri-colours winning a premiership last season.

However, the Bondi Junction outfit has opted to link with Wyong as part of a strategy to tap into the best footballing talent on the central coast.

The move is a bitter blow for Newtown, who rejected overtures to link with Melbourne in the belief its association with the Roosters would continue. The Storm have subsequently locked in Easts Brisbane as their partner of choice.

"It's sad getting the flick after nine years; we had nothing to do with it," Jets director and benefactor Terry Rowney said.

"A lot of their fans were wonderful; they really embraced Newtown. Everyone is flat because there was never any talk this year of us not renewing. I thought we had the best arrangement of any of the clubs; we easily had the best crowds and the players seemed to like playing for us.

"Mitch Aubusson got it right when he told a teammate, 'We're not going back to reserves, we're playing for Newtown.'

"The players perceive it as different. It's obviously a business decision to get players out of the central coast."

The foundation club remains an iconic league brand long after leaving the first grade arena in 1983. The club that won four premierships and calls Henson Park home is now desperately seeking a new NRL partner to link with.

A Bluebags fund-raising night – dubbed Controversy Corner Revisited – at Petersham RSL Club on July 23, will now take on even greater importance.

To book tickets to the event – which features Graeme Hughes, Noel Kelly, Greg McCallum, Steve Mascord and Mark Hughes – contact Stuart McCarthy on 0447 046 516 or smccarthy@newtownjets.com

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...#ixzz37KJsoYqm

[DIEHARD]

I am very sad to see an end to this successful partnership.

I hope another club picks up Newtown. A fantastic and traditional club.