saying his first priority was to build a devoted playing gr

Its 3pm on a Saturday afternoon at one of Australian rugby leagues most cherished sites, and the ground announcer brings us all to attention.Righto ref, let er rip. And let er rip, the ref did, allowing the Newtown Jets to start charging away at their opponents, Penrith.Welcome to Henson Park, and a different, but special sporting experience.The weekend was Retro Round in the NRL and all the talk was about mullets, shoulder pads, ill-fitting footy jerseys, going the biff, swinging arms, king hits, Controversy Corner, weird colour schemes, ciggys and beer in the dressing rooms. The weekend was thick in league nostalgia.?But if you really wanted to go retro, and be among those who dont have to put on an act and appreciate the traditions of the game, there was only one place to go- Henson Park in Sydneys inner west.?Every Saturday when Newtown are playing at their home ground, its naturally Retro- a reminder of those times when league wasnt so caught up in the corporate world and was the game of the workers, the battlers who happily went to grounds with the bare minimum facilities to show their allegiances to the local colours.Even if it is well over 30 years since Newtown was ejected from the NSW Rugby League premiership due to financial dramas, they remain the sentimental favourites of so many league diehards.Nowadays playing in the second tier NSW Cup, known as the Intrust Super Premiership, Newtown still have a solid following.?Around the ground on Saturday, punters old and young- proudly wore the distinctive blue Newtown jersey- some looking as if they were three or four decades old- and reminisced of the time when their club was a Sydney premiership threat, such as in 1981 when they lost the grand final to Parramatta.A founding member of the NSW League in 1908, the Newtown Bluebags which became the Jets in the early 1970s, was for decades a haven for tough, evocative characters, such as Frank Bumper Farrell, who became one of Sydneys most feared policeman.In the 1970s and 80s they boasted such expressive souls as Brian Chicka Moore, Phil whats a packet of Sigsworth, John Ferguson, Lionel Williamson, Kenny Wilson, Tommy Raudonikis, even Phil Gus Gould for several seasons.This was a straight up and down league club, with their home ground adding to their hard and rugged character. Built on an old brick pit, Henson Park is open to the elements.?There is the King George V Memorial Grandstand on one side, which has seating for a few hundred, a scoreboard, with an overhang that can shelter a few, but its main attraction is a large grassy hill, that goes almost halfway around the ground.Great on dry days. Tricky when its wet. When it is sunny, the Hill is a delight, as on Saturday where it was covered with blankets and large groups relishing good old fashioned league, with the added attraction of a Beer, Footy and Food Festival, where local brewers and food operators were offering their wares.?The ground hasnt changed much since their last major premiership game at the ground in 1983.The grandstand has a new roof, and the scoreboard is now electronic, while there are AFL goalposts at either end, but the facilities are pretty much the same to what it was when Newtown were taking on the big names all those years ago.And yes, you can still park your car behind the goalposts at the western end if you want. Henson Park, unlike so many other suburban grounds, can never be labelled sterile. It is alive, a real family affair, where the crowd is made to feel welcome.?Over the afternoon, the ground announcer made certain they knew they were the best spectators in the world, and the salt of the earth.Rex and Betty, long time Newtown supporters, were congratulated for their 60th wedding anniversary.There were constant calls to buy raffle tickets for a meat try, fruit box and a case of beer.The punters were asked to check their pockets as lost car keys had been handed in.And at the end of half-time, the announcer had to gently remind several hundred children and their parents who had invaded the ground to kick footies and tackle each other, that they had to actually get off the field so the game could continue.Eventually everyone was herded off. Play was recommenced, but within seconds had to be stopped when a lost child wandered onto the field.So the two teams ran back to their original positions. Newtown kicked off again.No one seemed too bothered. And Newtown continues to thrive on its old school qualities, showing immense pride in its past.The two merchandise shops at the ground- including one up on the hill- were selling some of the best Retro T-shirts going around, celebrating their most vivid moments, including the infamous 1981 minor semi-final all-in-brawl with Manly, and players, such as Raudonikis gesticulating to a referee, underneath the words: Not me Sir.Theres even one T-shirt showing the moment when their American import Manfred Moore in 1977 threw a gridiron pass with a football which went over the top of the King George V Grandstand.As for the announced crowd figure, it yet again got an ironic cheer from the Hill. The number is an in joke; it is always 8972.Adding to the joy Newtown enjoyed a late surge, winning 12-10, and with it another crackly rendition over the loud speakers of the old club song.Newtown is Coming Hear the Bluebags Humming Newtown NewtownNewtown are flying Therell be no denying Newtown NewtownNo wonder those who love salt of the earth footy keep going back to Henson Park. Value for money and even a chance to win a meat tray.Lance Berkman Jersey .com) - Richie Incognito has reportedly been admitted to a psychiatric care unit in Arizona. Denis Menke Jersey . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. https://www.cheapastros.com/ .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Aledmys Diaz Jersey . 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Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1.If Warriors chief Jim Doyle could sign any NRL player at any time, Kiwi star Kieran Foran would be right at the top of his list.And on Thursday evening, the former NRL chief operating officer finally got his man.Foran, 26, has signed a one-year deal with the NRL club to complete an all-Kiwi 2017 spine alongside fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, halfback Shaun Johnson and hooker Issac Luke.The contract is yet to be ratified by the NRL, who are thought to want further assurances on Forans mental condition after struggling with personal demons throughout 2016.The five-eighth was granted a release from a lucrative deal with the Eels in July after checking into a Brisbane rehabilitation clinic for professional help.The governing body are also suggested to want more information on Forans relationship with controversial Sydney-based punter Eddie Hayson.Doyle told reporters on Friday that Foran, who lived in Auckland until aged 10, would have all of the clubs resources at his disposal to get back to his best.Those resources included access to mental skills coaches, psychologists, mentors and Auckland-based family members such as godfather Don MacKinnon.His drive, leadership and on-field professionalism made him an ideal candidate to fill the shoes of departing five-eighth Thomas Leuluai.He makes other people around him stand up and be accountable and be better, Doyle said.Hes obviously had a little bit of a dark time but well get him back to where he needs to be.Doyle said Foran, who will arrive in Auckland in late October for the start of prre-season, was happy to tick any boxes with the NRL that they deemed necessary.ddddddddddddThe premiership-winning No.6 understood he would need to iron out several issues.He would also have to demonstrate his physical fitness after suffering a major shoulder injury with the Eels before his departure.Theyll assess what happened and if he got himself into a position, theyll want to know hes progressing out of that, Doyle said.Ive spoken to him regularly and Ive seen a change in him myself in the last few weeks.The addition of a proven match-winner such as Foran will serve as a boon to Warriors fans after a 2016 marred by inconsistency and listlessness.Doyle denied his clubs new all-Kiwi spine turned up the pressure to snare a maiden premiership, saying his first priority was to build a devoted playing group.The results would then take care of themselves.Its about making sure we live up to the expectations, Doyle said.We want a team that, every week, whether they win or not, were proud of.Foran said on Thursday hed rediscovered his passion for the game after several rough months.Initially, footy was the furthest thing from my mind and I needed time away from the game, Foran said.More recently, the desire to play again has completely returned and Im very keen to make a big contribution.Foran, who reportedly turned down the Bulldogs and Dragons to cross the ditch, is thought to be on a deal worth $600,000. 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