Clunky in attack and at times disjointed in defence, Newtown halfback Fa’amanu Brown says a new-look Jets outfit are yet to find their feet in the 2017 Intrust Super Premiership NSW competition.
Brown, who was partnered by the returning Penani Manumalealii at pivot, made a new halves pairing for the side’s clash with Illawarra – the third set of playmakers in as many weeks to start the season for the Jets.
With regular halfback and captain Daniel Mortimer absent from Newtown’s Round 3 loss to Illawarra through injury, Brown stepped in to filled the void. Despite his best efforts, the 22-year-old was unable to see his side to a win over the defending premiers.
“It was quite tough again this week to have fresh halves, it’s been the case for the past three weeks,” Brown tells NSWRL.com.au.
“Whoever drops back (from the Sharks’ NRL Squad), we just have to do our job, and work hard while we do it.
“The game was there to be won until late on in that second half. We just didn’t make the most of our opportunities.”
Starting the season with a narrow 2-point win over the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in Round 1, the Jets were consigned to a second successive defeat, following on from their unfruitful visit to Aubrey Keech Reserve in week two of the competition.
Though disappointed with the result at the end of the 80 minutes, Brown remains confident success will return for the Jets, as the understanding across the park continues to develop.
“Those young guys are doing really well, I think we all just need to have some more time with each other to get those combinations in order,” Brown says.
“But that’s part and parcel of playing in this competition. Given time, we just need to make the most of those chances to score points. And we will.”
Newtown will travel to Campbelltown Sports Stadium in Round 4 to face the Wests Tigers, who themselves are yet to enjoy a win inside the season’s opening three rounds.
