Newcastle Knights tackling dynamo Hannah Southwell is itching to return to the NRLW field this year.

The NSW State of Origin and Jillaroos star’s maiden season with her hometown club was cruelly cut short when she suffered a horrific knee injury, tearing her ACL, in the first round of the 2022 competition.

Rubbing salt into the wound, the Kotara Bears junior missed the Knights’ grand final victory and inclusion in the Australian World Cup squad.

But, despite the setback, Southwell drew a few positives from her time on the sideline.

“It was pretty tough sitting out 2022, especially not playing alongside my little sister Jesse,” she said.

“However, it was great to see how she went.

“Jesse enjoyed her footy again… without that stress of performing.

“She really thrived in the environment.

“As for me, I learnt a lot about myself in the off-season and through the rehab period.

“But, I can’t wait to play again.

“It’s been seven months post-op.

“So, I should be right for round one with the Knights.”

Southwell, who recommitted to the club on a long-term deal this week, was more than thrilled to see Newcastle dominate the Parramatta Eels 32-12 in the decider at Sydney’s Accor Stadium in October.

However, the reaction at home surprised her.

“It was huge,” she said.

“Pulling up to the NEX after the match was amazing… there were 5,000-plus people there.

“It was a good turnout and something the town needed after a few lean years for the boys.

“But, it’s terrific to see the guys playing good footy at the moment.

“I actually thought they’d knock over Penrith at the weekend.

“So, as a whole, the club’s doing well.

“We just need to keep going forward.”

Southwell, who was once the W-League’s youngest ever goalkeeper at 15 with the Newcastle Jets, is confident the Knights – and NRLW – are heading in the right direction, with the female players recently securing significant pay rises with the NRL.

“We’ll have a new squad, new faces and new combinations in 2023,” the RLPA representative told the Newcastle Weekly.

“But, best of all, the presence of multi-year deals is a good thing for us.

“We can build on that each season while ensuring we bring through local talent.

“The Hunter boasts a huge nursery, so we need to make sure we foster it and take care of it.

“I think it’s been taken for granted in the past; that’s something we must fix as a club.

“And, I believe we’re starting to do that.

“It’s a very exciting time for Newcastle and the women’s game.

“Having coach Ronnie Griffiths and director of football Peter Parr here is a coup, too.

“They’re both from the region, they’re aware of what’s needed and what it’s been like.

“They are good personnel to have in our club.

“They’ll fight for what’s right and ensure that not only the men are being taken care of, but the women are as well.

“The community really connected with the NRLW side… and that was probably due to the number of locals who played.”

• NB: Hannah and Jesse Southwell both signed agreements with the Knights this week for the upcoming 2023 NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership season, including terms that date through to the end of 2027.

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