The 2018 Frank Hyde Shield is here - and it sees the return of a Rugby League icon.
Rugby League expert commentator Phil Gould will be at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon, to call the clash between the Newtown Jets and North Sydney Bears. It will be broadcast live and free on Channel Nine and 9Now in NSW, kicking off at 1pm AEST.
"I'm incredibly excited to be invited to call the Jets v Bears [Intrust Super Premiership] game at Henson Park this Saturday afternoon, a ground with so much history and charm," Gould said.
"I first visited this ground back in the 1960s when dad used to take me to watch the old Newtown Bluebags. Little did we know that one day I would playing first grade football for the Newtown Jets at this same venue.
"I marvel at the passion of many loyal fans who work so hard to keep the Newtown and North Sydney clubs alive and competing in this important competition. It's marvellous that Nine's Wide World of Sports covers these matches on free-to-air television."
Gould, who played for Newtown in their 1981 Grand Final loss to Parramatta, donned their famous blue and white jersey again in 1982, before Newtown's last premiership season in 1983. His return marks the first Rugby League match broadcast on free-to-air television since Round 24, 1987.
Joining Gould in commentary from the sidelines will be Joel Caine and NRL premiership winner Jamie Soward.
