The 2022 finals series has been decided for The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup after a dramatic final round which saw Newtown Jets win their first NSW Cup Minor Premiership in 73 years after a penalty goal following full-time against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs resulted in a thrilling 22-all draw.
Newtown went into the final round needing to win or draw the match to stave off a challenge for the Minor Premiership from the Penrith Panthers. It is the first time the Jets have finished on top since the first grade team won the NSW Cup Minor Premiership in 1949.
NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden presented the Jets with the Minor Premiership trophy at Henson Park on Saturday after the match.
“I congratulate all teams who took part in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup this season and the clubs who are remaining good luck in the finals series,” Trodden said.
“I also congratulate the Sydney Roosters for winning the Minor Premiership in the Jersey Flegg Cup and the Newtown Jets for the Minor Premiership in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.
“It has been fantastic to see our Major Competitions complete their seasons and the decision to move to a traditional top five finals format should guarantee an exciting month of action for our fans in September.”
With The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup moving to a top five, Newtown now earn the first week of the finals off and will progress straight through to the Grand Final if they win the Major Semi-final in Week Two.
The opening week of the finals at St Marys Leagues Stadium on Saturday 3 September will see the Panthers (2) take on the North Sydney Bears (3) in a Qualifying Final with the winner progressing to face the Jets in Week Two.
The other match, also at St Marys Leagues Stadium, will see the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (4) face the Parramatta Eels (5) in an Elimination Final, with the winner moving on to face the loser of the Qualifying Final in the Minor Semi-final in Week Two.
The Jersey Flegg Cup finals series this weekend, will also be based on a top five. The Sydney Roosters secured the Minor Premiership and this weekend off after a dominant win over the Victoria Thunderbolts.
The opening week of the finals will see the Newcastle Knights (2) take on the Penrith Panthers (3) in a Qualifying Final at St Marys Leagues Stadium on Saturday 3 September. The winner will face the Sydney Roosters in the Major Semi-final in Week Two while the loser will progress to the Minor Semi-final.
The other match in Week One will see the St George Illawarra Dragons (4) take on Wests Tigers (5) in an Elimination Final at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Sunday 4 September.
The winner of the Qualifying Final will face the Sydney Roosters in the Major Semi-final in Week Two with the winner moving straight through to the Grand Final. The winner of the Elimination Final will face the loser of the Qualifying Final in the Minor Semi-final in Week Two.
FINALS VENUES AND SCHEDULE
Saturday 3 September - St Marys Leagues Stadium
Jersey Flegg Cup Qualifying Final
12.45pm: Newcastle Knights (2) v Penrith Panthers (3)
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Qualifying Final
3.10pm: Penrith Panthers (2) v North Sydney Bears (3)
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Elimination Final
5.15pm: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (4) v Parramatta Eels (5)
Sunday 4 September - Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Jersey Flegg Cup Elimination Final
10.30am: St George Illawarra Dragons (4) v Wests Tigers (5)
Saturday 10 September - Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Jersey Flegg Cup Major Semi-final
Sydney Roosters (1) v Qualifying Final winner
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Major Semi-final
Newtown Jets (1) v Qualifying Final winner
Jersey Flegg Cup Minor Semi-final
Qualifying Final loser v Elimination Final winner
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Minor Semi-final
Qualifying Final loser v Elimination Final winner
Saturday 17 September - Leichhardt Oval
Jersey Flegg Cup Preliminary Final
Major Semi-final loser v Minor Semi-final winner
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Preliminary Final
Major Semi-final loser v Minor Semi-final winner
Bye: Major Semi-final winner
Sunday 25 September - Commbank Stadium
Presidents Cup Final
Ron Massey Cup v Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup winner v Denton Engineering Cup v Peter McDonald Premiership winner
Jersey Flegg Cup Grand Final
Major Semi-final winner v Preliminary Final winner
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Grand Final
Major Semi-final winner v Preliminary Final winner
