NRL expansion 2024: John Singleton’s plan to revive the Newtown Jets revealed
Iconic millionaire adman John Singleton is prepared to stump up “whatever it takes” to see his beloved Newtown Jets return to top flight rugby league.
The push for the Jets to partner with Perth is gaining momentum as the NRL’s path to expansion hots up next week with Singleton firing a shot against fellow would-be returning hopefuls North Sydney.
A key ARL Commission meeting on Wednesday is expected to lay the framework for the NRL’s road to 20 teams with Western Australia firming as the game’s next franchise as early as 2027. PNG are expected to be the 18th team in 2028.
Singleton is preparing for important meetings of his own as he sits down with the travelling Western Australian contingent led by potential Perth investor Peter Cumins and government officials in Sydney where he plans to tell them of his million dollar promise.
“I have a commitment to try and get Newtown back into the competition,” Singleton said. “Sometimes you do things in life because you said you would. This is not for any financial benefit to me. I don’t see it as an investment.
“The future of rugby league is in Perth. It has a great stadium, great fan base, great government, great sponsorship market and allows for a new broadcast market with 2.3 million eyeballs.
“It also has potential of participation levels to follow NSW and Queensland.
“I will do whatever is needed.”
The Jets are on a collision course with North Sydney in the race to form an allegiance with Western Australia. The Bears have made it clear that they too want to return to the NRL with their path back into the competition via a new side in Perth.
It is understood the Western Australian Government’s preference is to form a stand-alone entity however there is support to form an alignment with the Jets. While the Bears have the backing of some of the game’s top brass.
Singleton is busily working with other investors in the hope of reviving the Jets. At least two other industry giants are preparing to come on board and will be part of the crucial meetings next week.
Their potential investments – along with their multimillion-dollar contributions – could make it irresistible for the NRL to ignore the Jets’ case.
Singleton said his significant investment would come with a catch.
“They have to be the Jets,” Singleton said. “Unless it’s the Jets, I’m not interested. I have an obligation to try and bring the Jets back. Newtown is the past, Perth is the future.
“It would be great for the game. The traditionalists and the young people just love Newtown.
“We have so many benefits over North Sydney. I think those points have to be made. They should be made. North Sydney are being silly by being dictatorial in their attitude towards Perth. There is no future in North Sydney Oval or Henson Park … I just wish (Newtown legend) Tommy Raudonikis was here mate. He’d say you can’t have a competition without the Jets.”
Aside from the Jets moniker and the potential to play a home game or pre-season match at either Leichhardt Oval or Henson Park, Newtown are not armed with a long list of demands. They are also in the midst of finalising a pathway program underneath their NSW Cup side.
Singleton, a life member of the Jets, was instrumental in Newtown’s last grand final appearance in 1981 before they were booted from the competition at the end of 1983.
This is not the first time Singleton has tried to revive the Bluebags but at 82 it could be his last.
“We were almost the Central Coast Jets,” Singleton said. “We had conditional contacts signed with 17 top players. We had Origin players, internationals and a $50 million bank guarantee but we were overlooked for the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast has always been a basket case.
“The Jets are coming. Competition is good and if the NRL think Norths are a better fit, it wouldn’t be the end of the world but it would be close to it.”
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