THE IPSWICH Jets are preparing to take off in the 2025 season as they continue to capture signatures during their recruitment before preseason starts.
The past week has seen the announcements of Braden Whittaker, Jonathan Reuben Jnr, and Isaiah Vailalo for the new season.
Recently selected for the Australian Universities Rugby League team, Whittaker debuted in Host Plus Cup in round 14 last year for the Souths Logan Magpies.
He went on to play six games in the competition and brings a 64.7% strike rate in tackle efficiency in the No.1 jersey.
Prop Isaiah Vailalo brings experience from the productive South Sydney Rabbitohs system having played nine games in the SG Ball competition and 37 games in the Jersey Flegg under 21 tournament.
Jon Reuben Jnr joins the Jets in 2025 in his 10th season in the league, after giving his services to Townsville Blackhawks (2015-2018), Sunshine Coast Falcons (2019), Redcliffe Dolphins (2020), Norths Devils (2021 and 2023) and Wynnum Manly Seagulls this year.
The 31-year-old winger has 133 appearances in the league, showcasing his ability with 134 tries throughout that time.
In 2022, Reuben became the oldest debutant in the NRL at 29 years and 92 days, when running out for the St George Dragons.
With pre-season starting on November 11, head coach Tye Ingebrigtsen told Local Ipswich News he was happy with the mix of the Jets roster.
“I’ve been very happy being able to bring former Jets players back to the club such as Julian Christian, Blake Lenehan and Zac Hetherington,” he said.
“It’s also been great to be able to secure some local juniors back to the Jets in Hayden Molkentien and Deijion Leugaimafa.
“Jon Reuben brings NRL experience to the club having played at the Dragons in 2022 and the great strike rate of try-scoring ability in the Host Plus Cup.
“This year we will also have local juniors Lachlan Coburn, Bill Fraser and Nathan Fraser who I coached in the Mal Meninga Cup 2024 season join us for HPC preseason to get some experience at Cup level before returning to MM Cup training after Christmas.”
