You could forgive premiership-winning Newtown Jets coach George Ndaira for exiting on a high after a stunning season in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.
In just his second year as head coach of the Jets, Ndaira not only helped carve out a season to win the 2024 NSW Cup Grand Final 28-22 over the North Sydney Bears in September, but he steered the club to four other inter-club trophies in between.
The Frank Hyde Shield is played for annually by the Jets against the Bears; the Ken Wilson–Ray Blacklock Cup against Penrith; the Tom Raudonikis Cup against Western Suburbs; and the Tom Kirk Cup against St George Illawarra.
All four trophies now sit proudly in the Jets boardroom.
But Ndaira (pictured above left), a former Jets player and assistant NSW Cup coach to Greg Matterson (right) for five years, is far from thinking his work is done with the Jets and has re-signed as head coach for season 2025. (Photo: Mario Facchini)
“No hesitation at all in going round again,” said Ndaira, who began pre-season training this week.
“I’ve been with Newtown a long time now – it’s a great club with a great culture, great bunch of people to be a part of. I don’t see myself anywhere else at this stage.”
There was one blemish on season 2024 – the NRL State Championship slipped away 20-18 to the QRL’s Norths Devils after the Jets let 14-10 at halftime.
“I thought we tried hard but just didn’t finish off the game like we wanted to,” he said. “We had put ourselves in a position to win the game and we just weren’t good enough.
“It has left a bitter taste in the mouths of the boys so that’s something that they’ll remember next year.”
The Jets have been able to keep the bulk of their premiership-winning squad together, apart from Sam Healey to the Warriors.
“Obviously the group we had was good enough to win the comp and thankfully there’s not too many changes,” Ndaira said.
“At this level players are looking for opportunities so we will lose a couple, but that creates a chance for other players.”
Ndaira is well aware of the ‘premiership hangover’ that can affect some clubs the following season. South Sydney won the 2023 NSW Cup title and didn’t make the top-five (finals) in 2024.
“Every year you have that goal to be there on grand final day,” he said.
“We know what it’s like and what it takes to get there. Hopefully it’s given the boys that hunger to go after it again as this time we’ll be more the hunted.
“Newtown wants to be known as the club that when you play us you’re always up for a decent game of footy.
“It’s not new territory for us but we need to be good at everything we do.”
Ndaira is also glad he can once again bend the ear of his former boss - now Head of Football – in Matterson.
“Matto and I have known each other for a long time,” he said. “The best thing about Matto is that he just wants the club to do well, and I know he wants me to do well.
“There’s no agendas with him. He’s a great sounding board for me; a great mentor and someone I can always lean on. He’s still around the club so he’s great to work through different scenarios for me as a coach.
“One of the moments for me on NSW Cup Grand Final Day was when we won, he was the first person to turn to me and say ‘Congratulations’.
“I don’t think I could have done it this year without him that’s for sure.”
