"It's sad getting the flick after nine years; we had nothing to do with it," Jets director and benefactor Terry Rowney said. "A lot of their fans were wonderful; they really embraced Newtown. Everyone is flat because there was never any talk this year of us not renewing. I thought we had the best arrangement of any of the clubs; we easily had the best crowds and the players seemed to like playing for us. "Mitch Aubusson got it right when he told a teammate, 'We're not going back to reserves, we're playing for Newtown.' "The players perceive it as different. It's obviously a business decision to get players out of the central coast." The foundation club remains an iconic league brand long after leaving the first grade arena in 1983. The club that won four premierships and calls Henson Park home is now desperately seeking a new NRL partner to link with.

A Bluebags fund-raising night – dubbed Controversy Corner Revisited – at Petersham RSL Club on July 23, will now take on even greater importance. To book tickets to the event – which features Graeme Hughes, Noel Kelly, Greg McCallum, Steve Mascord and Mark Hughes – contact Stuart McCarthy on 0447 046 516 or smccarthy@newtownjets.com ROUND FOR MCKINNON There is not a more inspiring story than Alex McKinnon's recovery. And with round 19 officially known as RiseForAlex round, everyone can do their bit.

The NRL will donate $1 for every fan who attends a game, while there will be a host of other fund-raising activities – including the sale of branded wristbands – to help provide continuing medical and financial support. "It's going to be a big week and there will be all sorts of emotions," Newcastle skipper Kurt Gidley said. "Everyone is excited to make it pretty special for Alex and do their bit for his medical bills and things down the track. "The support for Alex has been outstanding right from the start. It's a pretty big week not just for our club but all the clubs and fellow players. Everyone knows Alex is a wonderful fella and that's why we all want to help out." McKinnon has made some small but significant steps in his recovery in recent weeks. "The injury from the start was devastating and we were all in a fair bit of shock," Gidley said.

"I spoke to Alex a couple of weeks after it happened – we couldn't speak to him straight away – and right from our first conversation after the injury he made it easy for everyone else around him, just with his attitude and personality. ''He doesn't want to be treated any differently; that's just the type of bloke he is." SPRAY FORGIVEN If one gesture sums up the unity of NSW's Origin campaign, this is it. Fuming at being snubbed at a Blues dinner, the state's former coach absolutely gave it to the present one.

"I'll tell you something about Laurie Daley; I think his big nose is getting in the way of a lot of things," Tommy Raudonikis said in February. "Mate, he's got to teach New South Wales how to win; he hasn't done that." After copping the mother of all sprays, Daley and the Blues would have been entitled to brush Raudonikis forever. Instead, skipper Paul Gallen wore his name proudly on his jersey for Game III. And the Blues rolled out the blue carpet for the Magpies and Jets legend, inviting him into the sheds after the final game. "That's the ultimate display of unity," NSWRL boss David Trodden said.

"He was in the dressing room, all the guys signed a jersey and then Gal presented it to him. He absolutely loved it." MATAI SEEKS RELEASE Veteran Manly centre Steve Matai has asked for a release from the club. The former Kiwi international has received a big-money offer from the Warriors, but Sea Eagles officials are likely to block any move to ensure he fufils the final year of his contract. CANTERBURY KIN

This is why they call it the Family Club. Duante Pritchard, the son of Canterbury co-captain Frank, is a halfback coming through Canterbury's junior ranks. Frank's brother, Kaysa, is also an NRL player at arch rivals Parramatta. There were fears the oldest Pritchard's pectoral injury could be a season-ending one but the Kiwi international is hoping to be back before the finals. STILL A TIGER Good to see Liam Fulton, one of rugby league's great characters, won't be lost to the game. The Wests Tigers forward was forced to hang up the boots after suffering a series of concussions.

The veteran, who has been given an off-field role with the Tigers, hadn't lost his sense of humour when we sat down to discuss his future. "The good news is my missus has a modelling agency," he said of wife Stacey's company, Edge Models. "So I will be the self-appointed head of recruitment. I'm not sure how that's going to go down." But there was a serious side to the chat as well. Through the course of our conversation, it was clear just how tough it was dealing with the symptoms of concussion, which included short-term memory loss. "I don't know how I remembered this, this is a step in the right direction," he said after recalling a coming appointment.

Tigers officials didn't pressure him into a decision – he could have taken six months to assess his recovery before making a call – but the loyal clubman didn't want to hold up a search for his replacement. WAYNE'S WAKE It will be interesting to see how many players follow Wayne Bennett out of Newcastle. Darius Boyd has historically gone where the veteran coach has. Knights officials fear NSW back-rower Beau Scott, despite being still being under contracted, could also leave early.