The Newtown RLFC have announced life member Greg Matterson will step down as head coach at the end of 2022, bringing to an end his 15-year involvement with the Jets' Knock-On Effect NSW Cup team.
Having finished his coaching career with Newtown by taking them all the way to the Minor Premiership this season, Matterson will now take on the Head of Football role to make way for former Jets player George Ndaira, who coached the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks’ Jersey Flegg Cup side in 2022.
One of longest-serving current coaches in the NSW Cup, Matterson’s record being at the helm since 2008 has been nothing short of impeccable.
Under his watch the Jets have made the finals on 10 out of 13 occasions (2020-21 cancelled due to COVID) in the NSWRL’s elite competition, appearing in four Grand Finals for two Premierships in 2012 and 2019.
It was one of the more memorable campaigns in 2019 when Matterson’s Jets reached the NSW Cup decider from seventh position, beating Wentworthville Magpies from a point behind late in extra time when Billy Magoulias chipped over the top for a William Kennedy try.
Newtown secured, as it stands, their first and only State Championship just a week later in eerily similar circumstances off Magoulias’ boot, but this time for Jackson Ferris to score the match-winner in the dying seconds.
On top of all his success, Matterson has played a major part in the development of many an NRL star, including the likes of 2022 Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues debutant Siosifa Talakai and Penrith’s Scott Sorensen – a member of the 2019 Jets who is now set to line up for his second-straight NRL Grand Final with the Panthers.
The NSWRL extends its best wishes to Greg in his new role and congratulations on an outstanding coaching tenure with the Newtown club.
