Can life get any better for Newcastle Knights NRLW star Tamika Upton in 2023?
After claiming the Dally M Player of the Year award last week, the talented fullback grabbed a crucial double as the side successfully defended its Telstra Women’s Premiership courtesy of a thrilling 24-18 victory over the Gold Coast Titans, at Accor Stadium, on 1 October.
To cap it off, she also secured the Karyn Murphy Medal for the best on ground.
The Hunter club trailed 18-12 in the 42nd minute before Upton struck twice to single-handedly turn the game on its head.
Yet, the humble 26-year-old, who is contracted to Newcastle until the end of 2027, was reluctant to take any of the credit.
“It’s not about me, everyone played their role – from coach Ronald Griffiths to all the girls and support crew,” she said.
“But, it is great to be acknowledged as back-to-back premiers.
“I must admit, that was one of the toughest matches I’ve been a part of.
“Gold Coast’s pack is so strong and works so hard.
“So, I thought our forwards did an amazing job, I’m extremely proud of them.
“They always work hard for each other and I think their efforts often go unnoticed.
“In fact, I believe that’s the case for most of our players… being wrongly under-rated.
“However, they just get into training, do all the hard work and turn up on game day.
“It’s the same for the staff.
“Quite simply, what they do allows me the freedom to play my game.”
Upton admitted she had found at new “home” at the Knights.
“I’ve felt welcome from day one,” the Rockhampton-born superstar said.
“And, the girls are absolutely incredible, I wouldn’t want to play with anyone else.
“I can’t forget the fans either.
“The support we had down here [Sydney] and back in Newcastle is phenomenal.
“We had more than 12,000 people attend our stand-alone semi-final, which was brilliant.
“So, we love them and thank them for being on this journey with us.”
Teenage sensation Jesse Southwell also praised Upton.
“She’s a freak, what else can I say?” she said.
“So, it’s pretty cool to play alongside a player like her.
“Tamika’s a once-in-a-generation player.”
For Southwell, the moment was doubly special, winning a title with her older sibling Hannah.
“After she missed last season, due to injury, it was insane to share it together,” she said.
“It’s crazy.
“I remember thinking on the way to the game, this club – and town – means so much to me and Hannah.
“To head back to Newcastle as champions again, it’s unbelievable.”
Her sister, and captain, agreed.
“Jesse came up to me straight away and gave me a big hug… and said ‘we did it’,” Hannah explained.
“That just echoes how much it meant to us and our family.
“I saw mum and dad in the stands and my mother had glasses on, but I could still tell she was crying.
“Plus, I cannot thank this club enough.
“They backed me last year when I suffered a serious knee injury.
“The Knights could have said ‘see you later’ but they didn’t… they stuck by me.
“They helped me with my rehab and here we are.
“Ronald and the club made me feel a part of it [in 2022] and I’ll never forget that.
“I just wanted to repay everyone, and say thanks, for not only supporting me, but Jesse as well.”
Southwell snr said it was nice to prove the critics wrong, too.
“We had a lot of people doubting us, saying we’d lost so many players and wouldn’t be able to do it again,” she stated.
“All of us heard that, however we shut it out.
“We stuck to our game plan and knew what we were doing.
“Even though we were the hunted, we wanted to turn it around and hunt them.
“So, to go back-to-back with a great bunch of girls, my sister Jesse, and do it for Newcastle again was pretty special.”
- NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 24 (Tamika Upton 2, Jasmin Strange, Sheridan Gallagher, Shanice Parker tries; Jesse Southwell 2 goals) defeated GOLD COAST TITANS 18 (Jaime Chapman 3 tries; Zara Canfield 2, Lauren Brown goals)
For more sports stories:
- NRLW: Knights stars to be honoured at civic reception
- NRLW: Upton magic seals Knights’ second premiership
- REAL NRL: Huth, Lamb share Player of the Year honours
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