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Guide to local Anzac Day services p.5

WED 22 APR 2015

Preserving our history

M aitland’s involvement in the Gallipoli Campaign has been immortalised in a new book, published by the Maitland

and District Genealogical Society (MDGS).Two years in the making, the book, titled Maitland’s

Gallipoli Campaign, was made possible through funding from Maitland City Council and state and federal governments and contains information and photographs of men and women from the Maitland area who served in the historic conflict.

Officially launching the book as a ceremony held Friday, Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon said Maitland played a significant role in the Gallipoli Campaign and in World War One generally.

“It’s not really surprising that Maitland should have made such a substantial, and I suppose disproportionate contribution, given that it was a very large city at the time,” he said.

“At one stage it was the biggest inland city, outside our capital cities, in the country.

“It was on the route of the Wallaby Marches… we have our connection to coal mining, and of course coal miners played a very significant role particularly in Belgium with the story of Hill 60, and of course, we were tough in the bush.

“Rural and regional Australia’s role was significant but Maitland’s contribution and role was very significant and it is fantastic that so many people have put in the effort to secure the funds and put in the work to put this publication

New book details Maitland’s significant role in the Gallipoli Campaign

Maitland’s Gallipoli Campaign authors Robyn Wickham and Ann Campbell from the Maitland and District Genealogical Society

AMELIA PARROTT @amelia_parrott

together to ensure that in the hundreds of years ahead it can be remembered and shared.”

Maitland and District Genealogical Society president and co-author Ann Campbell said the members of the society had collected a lot of additional information on World War One that did not make it into the book.

This information is currently being collated by the society and will be used to form a new Gallipoli archive.

The book can be purchased for $50 (plus postage and handling) through the Maitland and District Genealogical Society by emailing mdgs01@tpg.com.au.

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Editor's Desk paul.monforte@newcastlepost.com.au

Misguided Anzac Day campaign leaves Woolworths reelingThere has been a lot of criticism of the Wool-worths “Fresh in Our Memories” campaign, and rightly so.

The supermarket chain created a website containing stories and images of Anzac soldiers with the words “Fresh in Our Memories” and the Woolworths logo overlaid.

Obviously they did not set out to offend anyone, but I can’t believe that firstly the advertising agency, Carrspace, and then Woolworths them-selves thought it was a good idea.

Surely, somebody somewhere along the line put their hand up and questioned whether using Anzac Day in promotional material was the best way to go.

I understand that advertising agencies are paid big money to come up with innovative campaigns in very competitive markets.

But it just leaves a bad taste in most people’s mouths when they see a company’s logo in and around mentions of Anzac Day.

I don’t think there’s any way for a promotional campaign to be built around Anzac Day without offending anyone.

As we know, these days it only takes a few people to object to something and share it on social media for it to spread across the country and beyond.

Hopefully advertising agencies and companies will start to realise that anything to do with war

or death should not even be considered to be used for commercial gain.

There are some campaigns that use current events or social media trends to their benefit and, on the whole, they are done very well and often with humour.

After all, half the battle for most companies is to understand what the market likes and what they want.

The evolution of the Post is imminent.In coming weeks, the Post will be presented to

you in a new glossy lifestyle magazine format, delivered to hundreds of locations across the Hunter region.

The magazine will continue to be available each and every Wednesday and will contain feature articles on events in the Hunter as well as regular sections such as food, wine, music, history, markets, art, health, finance, puzzles and trades and services listings.

In addition to our widespread distribution areas taking in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Cessnock, the Post will be expanding our reach into Port Stephens.

That means, you will be able to pick up a copy of the Post magazine in shopping centres, cafes, hairdressing salons, real estate agencies, service stations, pubs, clubs and McDonald’s restaurants wherever you happen to be in the Hunter region.

It just leaves a bad taste in most people’s mouths

PAUL MONFORTE

the hunter post

www.thehunterpost.com.au www.facebook.com/newcastlepost

19 Pearson St, Charlestown NSW 2290PO Box 2321 Dangar, NSW 2309P (02) 4961 0310

Editorial: editorial@newcastlepost.com.au

Advertising: enquiries@newcastlepost.com.au

Printed by: Spotpress Pty Ltd

Editor: Paul Monforte Journalists: Stephen Bisset (TE), Amelia Parrott

Sales Manager: Rhonda CampbellSales: Glenda Peate, Gary Scott (Trades), Dan Hawkins (TE), Alison Hislop (Hunter), Jo Jones (Hunter), Michael Cleary

Administration: Lauren Pollard

The Cessnock City area now has a dedi-cated resource to combat the growing problem of illegal dumping.

Regional Illegal Dumping (RID) Squads are regionally-based teams specialising in dealing with illegal dumping, landfilling, asbestos and other contaminated waste issues. Working across local government boundaries, RID Squads use a strategic, coordinated approach to preventing ille-gal dumping and focus on the particular issues within their region.

They work closely with stakeholders such as the NSW National Parks and Wild-life Service on illegal dumping operations.

Dumping squad for Cessnock

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P olice are still on the hunt for members of a gang of youths who attacked a father and daughter at

Charlestown early last week. Shocking video has emerged of the

incident, which depicts several young men pushing 41-year-old Tibor Racsits to the ground on Pearson Street outside Charlestown Square in the evening of Sunday, April 12, kicking him repeat-edly before targeting his 14-year-old daughter Kiara who had attempted to come to his aid.

Mr Racsits allegedly had his car keys, mobile phone and wallet stolen and was left with suspected cracked ribs as well as cuts and bruises, after he came to the shopping centre to collect his daughter, who had allegedly been threatened by members of the group.

Following investigations, over the weekend police arrested and charged three teenage boys in relation to the incident.

One 15-year-old was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray and stealing, while another was charged with assault and affray.

Police make further arrests over violent attacks on father and daughter in Charlestown

Crime

Taking action on street assaults AMELIA PARROTT @amelia_parrott

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A fter watching the pylons be set and the spans be lifted into place, Hunter residents will be able to take

their first stroll along the new Memorial Walk at Newcastle when it opens to the public at sunset on Friday night.

The 250-metre walk from Strzelecki Lookout to the Bathers Way on Memorial Drive commemorates the roughly 11,000 men and women from the Hunter who

enlisted and served in the First World War. 3,859 family names are etched into

the bridge that hovers above the cliff top, along with silhouettes of soldiers and information on the contributions of personnel from the army, navy, air force, as well as light horseman and nurses.

The design of the bridge was inspired by a smaller footbridge outside the University of Newcastle’s Wollotuka Institute at Callaghan and is intended to echo the image of a DNA double helix.

“It is intended to be the DNA of the

Hunter,” said Barney Collins, director of EJE Architecture, the firm that designed the walk.

“So that a child descendent from one of those enlisted people can go up there and see their name.”

Mr Collins said he hoped those attending Anzac Day dawn services on Saturday morning would come to do the walk and reflect on the sacrifices of those from the Hunter who served in WWI.

The walk also marks the centenary of BHP producing steel in Newcastle.

BHP played a key role in producing steel for railways, ammunition and ship-building during the First World War and committed the bulk of the funding for the Memorial Walk project.

Neil Slater, who came up with idea for the cliff top walk after being inspired by a simi-lar coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee, said he hoped to one day see Newcastle City Council’s Bathers Way project extended beyond Merewether Baths, through to the Glenrock State Conservation Area and the Fernleigh Track.

250-metre Memorial Walk ready to be opened to public ahead of Anzac Day

Community

Honouring 11,000 Hunter heroes

The view from the new Memorial Walk which will open to the public at sunset on Friday night. Photo: Bryce Thomas

AMELIA PARROTT @amelia_parrott

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Abermain8.30am march commences Bathurst Street, service at Jeffries ParkBeresfield 5:40am, Beresfield Community War MemorialBranxton5.30am, rotunda, 11.30am marchCessnock5.30am and 11.30am war memorialEast Maitland5:30am and 11:30am, East Maitland cenotaphGreta5.30am and 10am, Greta cenotaphLochinvar11am, community hallMaitland5:35am and 10:55am, Maitland ParkMedowie6am, Lions ParkWeston9am, Memorial Park

Time and venue information for the community to commemorate our soldiers this Saturday

Anzac Day 2015

Your guide to local Anzac Day services

Photos courtesy of the Australian War Memorial

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COMPETITION

To commemorate 100 years since the Gallipoli landings, the Post is offering readers the chance to win an Anzac Day prize pack worth $250 cour-tesy of the The Military Shop in Canberra.

The prize includes:• One Private Harvey the Gallipoli Centenary Bear from

a worldwide limited edition of 10,000. He wears standard equipment of the AIF complete with water canteen, bayonet and helve (the handle for his entrenching tool). His uniform is completed by his boots, metal collar badges and a slouch hat bearing the iconic 3rd pattern of the Rising Sun badge.

• One Sands of Gallipoli Centenary Hold True Medallion which is set in a solid brass box and features ‘The Landing’ sketch by military artist Drew Harrison. The presentation is styled on the ‘Christmas gift tins’ sent to the troops in 1914 by Princes Mary, the daughter of King George V. It contains a glass vial with sands from the landing beaches at Gallipoli and is inscribed “Hold true our spirit”. Only 10,000 are to be released.

• One Spirit of Gallipoli Centenary Bronze Figurine in a beautiful brass box which stands 240mm high on a timber finish base and is amazingly detailed. A glass vial containing sands from the landing beaches at Gallipoli, make it truly distinctive and only 5000 are available.

The Great War collection is available for purchase at agwmilitaryshop.com.au and participating Australia Post outlets.

Ten percent of all sales go to the charity Soldier On (www.solidieron.org.au) which was founded in 2012 to provide education and employment, counselling and rehabilitation services to injured veterans and their families who were part of Readers are also encouraged to contribute to the #digger-stribute campaign which runs until April 25 and invites readers to post selfies of local service, local people and local places to their Twitter pages as a tribute to the proud Anzac history of your area, using the hashtag #diggerstribute.

To enter the competition to win the prize pack, email editorial@newcastlepost.com.au with ‘Anzac Day compe-tition’ in the subject line.

Win an Anzac Day prize pack worth $250

Expert advice available for Cessnock businesses

Businesses who have been ‘Malcolmed’, as the phrase goes, have received valuable advice to grow their business profitably.

Malcolm Auld is an experienced business leader and a company owner who has consulted and educated executives in 21 countries, turning around multina-tional direct and digital marketing agencies.

Cessnock City Council is bringing Malcolm Auld to

Cessnock on May 8 to head up the first of the Busi-ness Leadership Workshop Series, Marketing-Back to Basics for Success. The workshop, which costs $69, will cover traditional and digital marketing, advertis-ing, direct mail, social media, copywriting and more.

For more information and to register , please contact Rhiannon Stevens on 4993 4185 or email economic.development@cessnock.nsw.gov.au.

Legal aid for defence forcesCurrent and former members of the defence forces injured

during their service are reminded that they are able to receive free legal advice from Legal Aid NSW about veterans’ entitle-ments.

For more information please call the Newcastle Legal Aid NSW office on 4929 5482 or visit www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/civil-law/veterans-advocacy

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The First World War remains the most costly conflict for Australia in terms of deaths and casualties.

Yet from this we saw the spirit of the Anzac, which remains a part of our identity.

This year we commemorate 100 years since the landing at Gallipoli and pause to remember the many young men and women who made the greatest sacrifice.

These included men and women from Maitland and the Hunter Region, some aged 17 or lower, who enlisted to serve their country and would never return.

Imagine what this would be like for parents and family, who would dread waiting for a telegram bearing bad news.

Maitland’s link to the Great War includes the local recruits from the 34th Battalion that was formed in 1916 at a camp at Maitland Showground and dubbed Maitland’s Own.

They have an amazing story which saw them battle in the trenches of the Western Front, then Villers-Bretonneux and later Amiens.

They would then go on to play a part in the operation that breached the

Hindenburg Line, sealing Germany’s defeat.

Of course the other significant connection to the First World War is Les Darcy’s story, who on the eve of conscription in 1916, stowed away on a ship to New York.

Caught up in a nation gripped by war, Darcy volunteered for the US Army and trained for the world middleweight boxing title. As it goes, Darcy would never see action in the war as he collapsed during a training session from an infected tooth that later took his life.

Like Darcy, the stories of our Diggers whose lives were lost represent so much unfulfilled promise. So as we wake on Anzac Day and enjoy a hot shower and clean clothes, spare a thought for our troops who were in the trenches in all types of weather, not knowing what their day would bring.

Please join me on Anzac Day to pause and reflect on the sacrifices of these men and women, remembering them for their courage, mateship and signifi-cant contribution they made in shaping our country.

Lest we forget.

A time to pause and reflect on the sacrifices of our soldiers

maitland mattersCR PETER BLACKMORE Maitland City Council Mayor

all council matters: maitland.nsw.gov.au

I would like to wish the student group headed over to Gallipoli for Anzac Day the very best for their travels. It was great to see such enthusiasm among the group and I would especially like to mention the four students representing our LGA-Hannah Onion, Lauren Wood, Adam Robinson and Heidii Hyland. I hope you truly cherish this unique experience to commemorate the Centenary of Anzac. This milestone occasion will be something I hope each of you carry on as a legacy upon your return. In the lead up to Anzac Day, my fellow Councillors and I will be unveiling commemorative plaques in recognition of 100 years since the First World War.

You may have noticed many of our local roads have recently undergone renewal. A total of 48 local roads have received (or are due to receive) upgrades under the 2014-15 program of works. I hope the kids and parents at Cessnock Public School enjoyed going back after the holidays to a nice surprise this week with Brandis Street, Aberdare being completed over the Easter holiday break!

The 2015 Mayoral Scholarships recipients were announced last night at an award ceremony at the Cessnock Perform-

ing Arts Centre. I thank all of the students that applied for 2015 and encourage you all to reapply next year.

I would like to thank new Parlia-mentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast region, Scot MacDonald, for dropping by to Council Chambers to visit myself and fellow Councillors Doherty and Gibson last week. We discussed some key issues affecting our LGA-specifically the flow on effect from the Hunter Express-way, the State Government’s Fit for the Future reform package, Cessnock Airport, Broke Road upgrades and tourism.

Youth Week has come to an end and it was fabulous to see so many people support the 14 events. Every year, several local youth agencies and service provid-ers contribute to the planning, funding, organising and delivery of activities.

Almost 46,000 children each year trust Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick at their time of greatest need. Through their 2015 Gold Telethon the hospital is aiming to raise $5 million to ensure all children receive the best possible care. You can watch the telethon on Channel 9 on 8 June, or if you’d like to donate earlier please visit www.goldtelethon.org.au

Local students setting off on the trip of a lifetime

cessnock mattersCR BOB PYNSENT Cessnock City Council Mayor

all council matters: cessnock.nsw.gov.au

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Private William Currey. Photo: Courtesy of Australian War Memorial

Turning back Time

Ahead of Anzac Day this Saturday, Amelia Parrott takes a look at the lives of two local Victoria Cross recipients

With only 63 Victoria Crosses being awarded to Australians during the First World War, it may surprise many to know

that two recipients were former pupils of Dudley Public School.

Clarence Smith Jefferies and William Currey, both miner’s sons from Wallsend, were awarded the Victoria Cross, a decora-tion that recognises those who “perform acts of the most conspicuous gallantry, acts of valour or self-sacrifice, or display extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy” for their bravery on the Western Front.

Clarence Smith Jeffries was the only son of Joshua Jeffries, general manager at the Abermain Collieries, and his wife Barbara. He was born in Wallsend on October 26, 1894 and attended Dudley Public School before moving onto Newcastle Collegiate and High Schools. Upon finishing school, he apprenticed as a mining surveyor at the mine his father managed before joining the 14th (Hunter River) Infantry Regiment of the Citizens Military Force as a private in July 1912. He was promoted to sergeant the following year.

Following the outbreak of WWI, Jeffries was commissioned as a second lieuten-ant in the Citizens Military Force on August 22, 1914, and was mobilised for home defence duties and the instruc-tion of volunteers for the newly-raised Australian Imperial Force at Newcastle and Liverpool. Promoted to lieutenant in the Citizens Military Force in July 1915, he transferred to the Australian Impe-rial Force on February 1, 1916 with the substantive rank of second lieutenant. He was placed in command of C Company of the 34th Battalion. The following month, the battalion embarked on a month-long from Sydney to England on board the HMAT Hororata where, upon arrival, the battalion spent five months in training, during which time Jeffries was promoted to lieutenant, before being shipped to

France on late November 1916 for service on the Western Front.

It wasn’t until June the following year that the battalion took part on its first major operation, the Battle of Messines in Belgium. During the engagement, Jeffries took a bullet to the thigh whilst leading a reconnaissance patrol and was evacuated to the 3rd General Hospital in London. While recovering from his injuries, on June 26 Jeffries was promoted to the rank of captain. He rejoined his battalion in September was company commander.

The next month, on October 12, 1917, the

34th battalion took part in the Australian Division’s attack on the Belgian village of Passchendaele. Jeffries commanded Company B during the attack, which took place on a boggy marsh. During the advance the Australian forces fell under heavy machine gun fire at Hillside Farm, a strong point to the east of Augustus Wood at the highest point of the Pass-chendaele ridge. The position consisted of two pillboxes supported by 50 metres of trench, occupied by 35 men and four guns. Jeffries, realising his force was suffering heavy casualties organised a bombing

party of 14 men and set about outflanking the pillboxes. Working around the posi-tion, the party attacked the emplacement from the rear, capturing the men and their guns. Jeffries then led his men forward and soon encountered another enemy position. Gathering a party of 12 men, Jeffries successfully captured another two guns and 30 more prisoners but was mortally wounded in the assault.

On December 18, 1917, a notification was published in the London Gazette by the War Office announcing that Captain Jeffries had been awarded a posthumous

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Victoria Cross “for most conspicuous bravery in attack, when his company was held up by enemy machine gun fire from concrete emplacements”. The notifica-tion read, “this gallant officer was killed during the attack, but it was entirely due to his bravery and initiative that the centre of the attack was not held up for a lengthy period. His example had a most inspiring influence”.

Captain Jeffries’ father was severely affected by the death of his son, a tragedy made all the more traumatic as the loca-tion of his son’s body was not known. In

1920, Joshua Jeffries travelled to Belgium in an attempt to locate his son’s lost grave but returned to Australia disappointed. In January 1921, he learnt that his son’s remains had been exhumed from a battle-field grave on September 14, 1920 and re-buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery in Pass-chendaele. Three years later he returned to Belgium to pay his final respects to his only son.

There is a memorial park named for Captain Jeffries at Abermain and the Clar-ence Jeffries Housing Estate at Bullecourt Army Barracks in Adamstown is also

named in his honour. His war medals, including the Victoria Cross, are on display in the Warriors Chapel at Christ Church Cathedral in Newcastle.

Unlike Captain Jeffries, William Currey did not die in battle but his acts were no less gallant. Born in Wallsend on Septem-ber 19, 1895, Currey attended Dudley and Plattsburg Public schools before gaining employment as a wireworker at Leich-hardt in Sydney’s inner west. In October 1916, he enlisted in the Australian Impe-rial Force. It was not the first time Currey had tried to enlist for overseas service. He

had been rejected several times before for being underage. Currey initially served in the 4th Light Trench Mortar Battery, before being posted to the 53rd Battalion in July 1917. He fought in the Battle of Polygon Wood in late 1917.

On September 1, 1918 Currey, a 22-year-old private, was involved in the Battle of Mont Saint-Quentine, an attack on Peronne, a French town close to where the Battle of the Somme took place. During the battle, under heavy machine gun fire, Currey rushed forward and single-handedly captured a 77-mm field gun that had been halting the battalion’s advance, killing the whole crew.

Later in the afternoon, the crew encoun-tered another enemy strong point. This time, again under intense fire, Currey crept around the flank of the position and opened fire with a Lewis gun before rush-ing the post, inflicting many casualties and dispersing the survivors. At 3am the next morning, he volunteered to venture into No Man’s Land to warn an isolated company to withdraw. According to war historian Charles Bean, Currey advanced and called out to a Lieutenant Waite, “Waitsy, get in!”. It was then that the Germans turned on him with all their fire power. His respirator was shot through and he was subsequently gassed but Currey survived and the isolated company retreated to safety. A citation published in the London Gazzete on December 14, 1918, notifying of Currey’s Victoria Cross decoration stated that his actions were “a striking example of coolness, determina-tion and utter disregard of danger… and his gallant word contributed largely to the success of the operation”.

Currey was discharge from the Austral-ian Imperial Forces in 1919. Following his WWI service, Currey gained employment with the Department of Railways. On April 10, 1920 he married Emmie Davies at Saviour’s Anglican Church in Punchbowl and the couple later had two children together. Currey briefly returned to the military on two occasions, once serv-ing in the Militia in the 45th Battalion between 1930 and 1932 and again during the Second World War as a warrant officer in the Australian Instructional Corps. In 1941 he stood for election at the Austral-ian Labor Party’s candidate for the seat of Kogarah and was successfully elected. He served as a member of the NSW Parlia-ment until April 1948, when he collapsed at Parliament House and died three days later on April 30, 1948.

Following a public appeal in 1956 a plaque was erected in memory of Currey in Speakers Square at NSW Parliament. During renovations in the 70s the plaque was put into storage for safekeeping only to be rediscovered and restored to its place in 2008. Currey’s Victoria Cross is on display at the Australia War Memorial in Canberra.

Captain Clarence Smith Jeffries and Private William Currey are commemo-rated by a memorial wall at Sandgate Cemetery which was unveiled in April, 2000 and in the Jeffries-Currey Memo-rial Library at Dudley Public School. The school also recently unveiled two new murals a memorial garden of rosemary and poppies commemorating the achieve-ments of the esteemed ex-students. Dudley Public School remains the only school in the Commonwealth to have produced to Victoria Cross recipients.

HISTORY

Captain Clarence Smith Jeff ries. Photo: Courtesy of Australian War Memorial

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Western Suburbs recovered from a first-up loss to Cessnock to record a 22-16 win over South Newcastle at Harker Oval in round 2 of the Tooheys Cup competition last Sunday.

Lakes United are the surprise leaders of the competition after defeating Kurri Kurri 40-22 at Kurri Kurri Sportsground on Saturday.

Attack was the order of the day with Cessnock and Maitland fighting out a high-scoring 32-all draw at Maitland Sportsground on Saturday.

The Pickers appeared headed for a comfortable when leading 32-12 midway through the second half before the Goannas fought back to grab a point.

Macquarie Scorpions notched their first win of the season by thrashing Central Newcastle 44-16 at Peacock Field on Saturday.

Tooheys Cup ladder after round 2: Lakes United 4pts (+25), Cess-nock 3pts (+16), Maitland 3pts (+2), Macquarie Scorpions 2pts (+21), South Newcastle 2pts (+2), Western Suburbs 2pts (-10), Kurri Kurri 0pts (-26), Central Newcastle 0pts (-30).

There will be no matches played this weekend due to Anzac Day, with the competition to resume on Saturday, May 3.

Rosellas on the board for 2015

Newcastle Knights players joined a group of 60 young people affected by cancer from the Hunter and northern NSW

regions at CanTeen’s Autumn Program in Point Wolstoncroft last week.

Beau Scott and Chad Redman ran a footy skills session as part of a five-day program where 12-24 year olds deal-ing with cancer were able to meet and be supported by others their age who understand what they’re going through.

“Every day another 63 young people have to face the challenge of cancer - whether they’ve been diagnosed themselves or whether it’s their parent, brother or sister,” said CanTeen CEO Peter Orchard.

“CanTeen programs give young people the chance to make new friends, develop skills to cope with their cancer experience and have some much needed fun. Our Autumn Program is the biggest event we run in the Hunter and our members were really excited that some of the Newcastle Knights players came along,” he said.

The Knights visit was made possible thanks to nib’s partnership with CanTeen and the Newcastle Knights. nib founda-tion has been a proud supporter of CanTeen’s counselling service since its establishment in 2010.

The counselling service is just one of specialist support services offered by CanTeen in addition to their peer support programs. CanTeen also recently launched a new online support platform at canteen.org.au/nowwhat, which offers young people 24/7 access to a personalised online peer community and 7-day access to professional counsellors, no matter where they live.

“At CanTeen, we believe that no young person should face cancer alone. That’s why we offer individually tailored support to help young people cope with the impact cancer has on their life,” Mr Orchard added.

To find out more about CanTeen or to get support, visit www.canteen.org.au, email support@canteen.org.au or call 1800 835 932.

Newcastle Knights lend a hand to support CanTeen’s Autumn Program

Knights players Chad Redman and Beau Scott at CanTeen’s Autumn Program last week

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Sport the hunter post // www.thehunterpost.com.au

Wednesday 22 April 2015

Newcastle Jets coach Phil Stubbins heaped praise on his side for their spirit and fight at the end of a long and arduous season, despite falling 4-3 to

Sydney FC at Hunter Stadium on Friday night.The Jets showed plenty of enthusiasm to lead

their big-spending rivals 1-0 at halftime courtesy of a goal in the 21st minute from Enver Alivodic.

However, three goals in the first 11 minutes of the second stanza showed why the visitors are strong contenders for this year’s title.

But the Jets found a second wind and scored through Edson Montano in the 67th minute and again after 76 minutes when Andrew Hoole con-verted a penalty after being brought down inside the box.

Four minutes later, Sydney FC grabbed the lead through substitute winger Robert Stambolziev and were then able to hold on for an important victory.

While disappointed to lose, Stubbins preferred to concentrate on the strong fightback.

“In terms of fighting, it was a great effort from the boys. There’s certainly a lot to be proud of there, we lost the game in a way if you do lose, you want to lose it that way,” Stubbins said.

No lack of effort from Jets as campaign about to come to an end

The Jets showed plenty of late-season fight againsy Sydney FC. Photo: Courtesy of Newcastle Jets

PAUL MONFORTE “We played a magnificent team I have to say. To get it back to 3-3 and to make it anyone’s game against a class outfit, it’s a credit to all of the play-ers in there.”

“It’s a great experience for my players. I won’t be going in there and having a go at anyone”, he said.

“Perhaps on another night we could have got the three points.

“That period of 10 minutes is something we’d like to forget and put to one side but it’s some-thing we can learn from.

“They turned it up and we didn’t turn up. That was the problem for us”.

The Jets will finish their season this Friday night with a match against the Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.40pm.

To avoid the wooden spoon, the Jets need to defeat the Roar and then hope the Western Syd-ney Wanderers lose their match against Perth Glory at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday afternoon at 5pm.

A-LEAGUE LADDER: Melbourne Victory 50pts (+23), Sydney FC 47pts (+16), Perth Glory 47pts (+9), Wellington Phoenix 46pts (+11), Adelaide United 43pts (+12), Melbourne City 35pts (-2), Brisbane Roar 31pts (-2), Central Coast Mariners 23pts (-22), Western Sydney Wanderers 18pts (-14), Newcastle Jets 17pts (-31).

Looking for reasons why a team loses a rugby league match can be pretty sim-ple at times for a coach

and Knights mentor Rick Stone has pointed an increased error rate as the cause of a third successive loss.

The Knights led 12-0 after 12 min-utes but were defeated 28-22 by the Parramatta Eels at Hunter Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The match statistics showed the Eels completed 31 of their 34 sets of six - outstanding in the modern game - with the Knights getting through only 26 of their 36 sets.

“The last couple of weeks with making 14, 15, 16 errors in the game it doesn’t give you a chance,” Stone said.

“The possession ended up a fair-ly even share of possession, but I think we had 26 plays in their half in the second half compared to their 58 in our half. That put us un-der a bit of pressure.

“We did end up scoring two tries in the second half but it obviously wasn’t enough considering the

amount of field position they had.”“We can’t complain, we had eve-

ry chance to win the game.“We came up with some dumb

unforced errors when we were un-der the pump and usually we are pretty tidy.

“We need to improve our compo-sure under pressure.”

In the earlier matches at Hunter Stadium, the Knights’ NSW Cup scored a a narrow 25-22 win over the Eels’ feeder team, Wentworth-ville.

Sione Mata’utia joined his broth-ers Chanel and Pat in NSW Cup after being relegated from the 18-man NRL squad.

The Knights’ under 20s side found the going tough against the Eels, losing 46-4.It doesn’t get any easier for the Knights this weekend with Johnathan Thurston and the North Queensland Cowboys com-ing to town for the clash at Hunter Stadium on Saturday afternoon at 2pm.

The match will be preceded by the under 20s at 11.15am with the NSW Cup side playing Canterbury at No.1 Sportsground on Sunday afternoon at 3pm.

Poor handling costs Knights dearly as Eels overcome early deficit

The Knights couldn't maintain their strong start against the Eels on Sunday. Photo: Courtesy of Newcastle Knights

PAUL MONFORTE

RUGBY LEAGUE