Nerves are building in the Knights’ NRLW camp, with this weekend’s match against the Broncos the last step to securing a spot in the grand final.

But, after a three-game winning streak, the Newcastle squad is confident in its ability to put Brisbane to the sword at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday 28 September.

Even if the hosts have only suffered defeat once in 2025.

In-form prop Tayla Predebon admitted it was an “all or nothing” showdown.

“We’re potentially 70 minutes away from a decider, so we have a big job ahead of us,” she said.

“I think for us, it’s just about sticking to our defensive patterns and our movements that we’ve worked hard on all season.

“At the end of the day, if we’re there for each other, we’ll get the job done.”

In round eight, the Broncos swept the Knights 46-16 at home, despite a strong early showing from Newcastle.

Captain Yasmin Clydsdale said the previous loss had put a fire under her and her teammates.

“We took a lot of learnings out of that game… but we’ve hit our stride now in the past three matches, which I think has really proven that the girls are stepping up,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.

“So, I think that’s really exciting going up against the Broncos.”

Clydsdale will go head-to-head against former Knights NRLW powerhouse Tamika Upton, now serving as skipper of the Queensland side.

“She is an X-factor player in teams,” she explained.

“So, it’s a matter of putting pressure on her and putting heat on her and making sure of when we get an opportunity to tackle her, we don’t miss it.”

With Brisbane’s strength lying in its sharp attack, the 31-year-old knows it’s “do or die”.

“We’ll just be focusing on us and making sure that we complete our sets and we put them into the game cycle,” Clydsdale said.

“We don’t want to give a team like the Broncos the ball because they’re such an attacking threat.

“So, I feel if we’re able to stick it in the game for 70 minutes, and keep the ball in our hands as well, it’ll put us in a good stead throughout the encounter.”

However, both Clydsdale and Predebon admit the opposing players won’t be the only challenge on the day.

“I played up there for NSW in the State of Origin,” Clydsdale said.  

“So, it was definitely a hostile environment, so I’m expecting that.

“However, I believe we have a team that would thrive in that environment… and it pushes me to be better to be honest.”

“You run out here at McDonald Jones Stadium and you get really excited because they’re obviously there for you guys,” Predebon added.

“But, it would be just as exciting when we run out in front of a Broncos crowd because we’re there to do a job and ruin their day.”

Kicking off at 1.15pm, it will be a nail-biting match for players and fans alike.

For more sports stories:

• Holbrook fulfils long-held ambition after landing Knights’ coaching gig
• Maitland mastermind Matt Lantry earns elite place in NEWRL’s history books
• Jets’ women lock in new training hub at Glendale

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.