2019 Year in Review: Ipswich Jets
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Ipswich Jets were always in the mix in 2019. Their unpredictable style of play meant they could never be ruled out, even finishing the season with a 28-28 draw with minor premiers Sunshine Coast Falcons. However the Jets faltered at the back end games, leaving them outside the Top 8.
With the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season having drawn to a close, we take a look back through the year that was for all 14 clubs to see what went right, what went wrong, and what the clubs may focus on heading into the 2020 season.
The 2019 Year in Review series continues with the Jets.
The season by the numbers
Final position on the ladder
9th
Regular season
- Won: 9
- Drawn: 1
- Lost: 13
Home and away record
- Home: 3-8
- Away: 6-5
Scoring
- Scored: 466
- Conceded: 563
- For and against: -97
Players in focus
Standout player
Nat Neale - the "chicken pesto pasta prop" - continued his fine form in the Intrust Super Cup with a stellar 2019 season, which saw the 31-year-old wrecking ball named in the XXXX Queensland Residents side and take home the Ipswich Jets Allan Langer Medal for best player for the second year in a row. He was also a real contender for the Petero Civoniceva Medal, which he won last year.
Tries: 2
Tackle breaks: 59
Offloads: 46
Tackles: 706
Tackle efficiency: 91.3 per cent
Average run metres: 112.3 metres
Best of 2019: Ipswich Jets
Notable player achievements and milestones
- Nat Neale - XXXX Queensland Residents and Jets' Allan Langer Medal for best and fairest
- Josh Cleeland - XXXX Queensland Residents captain
- Marmin Barba - 500 Intrust Super Cup points
- Rogan 'Guns' Dean - Jets' Best Back
- Ben Shea - Jets' Best Forward
- Blake Lenehan - Jets' Rookie of the Year
- Ben White - Jets' Coaches' Most Valuable Player
- Kierran Moseley - Jets' Walters Family Medal for Players' Player
Key factor to season result
Faltering late in the game
The Jets were in the mix from the beginning of the season until the end. The strong starters often led games early before being beaten. Of their 13 losses, eight of them were only lost by eight points or less. In Round 15, the Jets led eventual winners Burleigh Bears 14-6 at half time before losing 22-16. In Round 16, the Jets led the Redcliffe Dolphins 22-6 at 68 minutes but lost 24-22.
Looking ahead to 2020
The Jets enter a new era under new head coach Keiron Lander in 2020 after the departure of Ben and Shane Walker. Lander will be looking to make his mark and whether or not that incorporates the usual Jets style of play is yet to be seen. With the departure of key players Josh Seage, Michael Purcell to Easts Tigers and Marmin Barba and Ben Shea to Redcliffe Dolphins, the Jets will be looking to promote young talent or sign people to fill those huge shoes.
