2022 Season

The nib Newcastle Knights have confirmed two more signings for the 2022 Telstra Women’s Premiership, in 21-year-old Australian Rugby Sevens representative Jakiya Whitfeld and 20-year-old West Brisbane Panther and former Queensland Under 19 backrower Makenzie Weale.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

Whitfeld and Weale bolster NRLW recruitment drive

The nib Newcastle Knights have confirmed two more signings for the 2022 Telstra Women’s Premiership, in 21-year-old Australian Rugby Sevens representative Jakiya Whitfield and 20-year-old West Brisbane Panther and former Queensland Under 19 backrower Makenzie Weale.
www.newcastleknights.com.au www.newcastleknights.com.au

That's the full 24 spots taken now assuming Southwell is cleared to play this season. Pre-season started earlier this week.
 
Tooheys news report today says former lower grades coach Ian Bourke, who knocked back the job of NSW cup coach this year because of work commitments, has signed on as assistant coach for NRLW.
 
So, best guess I’ve got as to the round 1 lineup:

1. Tamika Upton
2. Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daily
3. Bobbi Law
4. Kiana Takairangi
5. Shanice Parker
6. Kirra Dibb
7. Jesse Southwell/Caitlin Moran

13. Hannah Southwell
12. Yasmin Clydsdale
11. Romy Teitzel
10. Caitlan Johnston
9. Olivia Higgins
8. Millie Boyle

14. Emma Manzelmann/Caitlin Moran/Jesse Southwell
15. Tayla Predebon
16. Simone Karpani
17. Kyra Simon


This team is gonna take some beating I think. Should absolutely dominate in the forwards and armed with incumbent rep stars at 6 & 1 and will potentially be debuting the next big star of the women’s game at 7 - if not her, I believe Moran has gotten some hype in her time and just been unlucky to not have the chance to play NRLW?

The 2-5 is the only part of the side which doesn’t look absolutely amazing, but Kelly and Sergis aside, I’ve gotten the impression it’s a part of the squad most teams aren’t strong in - it’s where most teams park their 2nd & 3rd best fullbacks/halves, that sort of thing? The arrival of more properly good specialist outside backs will probably be one of the big markers of improvement in the standard of the women’s game.

Wasn’t really sure where to put Romy Teitzel, but I was aware she’s played a lot of positions and aside from Clydsdale the 2nd rowers in the squad look less established than the available outside backs?

Anyway getting more and more excited at the prospect of seeing a Knights side lift a premiership trophy. :) It’s been a while!
 
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Also I was curious to see who the 2 marquee allowance players were at the other squads, but can’t find that information? Does anyone know how you find that out?
 
Moran did an ACL if I'm not mistaken and had a hard time dealing with it. Moved back home to newy to be with mum and fell in love with the game again and Blake green convinced her to come back and have a crack.
 
Ah that sucks, I daresay they wouldn’t have had access to the kind of rehab stuff the men get back in the day so it would have been harder to come back from. Keen to see what she can do.
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
Ah that sucks, I daresay they wouldn’t have had access to the kind of rehab stuff the men get back in the day so it would have been harder to come back from. Keen to see what she can do.
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She was the incumbent 7 for the jillaroos before she went down. Must have some sort of skill. They had her and Shaq Mitchell on nitv. Can't recall the show I'm sure @Billy has mentioned it before. It was a good watch.
 
That forward pack is phenomenal. Having Upton at the back should provide some much needed spark around the ruck. Would’ve been nice to see Isabelle Kelly back at Newy to give that backline a bit more spark, but what can ya do?
 
Matty23 said:
That forward pack is phenomenal. Having Upton at the back should provide some much needed spark around the ruck. Would’ve been nice to see Isabelle Kelly back at Newy to give that backline a bit more spark, but what can ya do?
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Would have absolutely taken a marquee salary to get her in, I’m sure she’s getting one from the Chooks. Personally I think Millie is the best player in the women’s game and Tamika plays a more important position so it’s hard to complain about who we recruited.
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
Would have absolutely taken a marquee salary to get her in, I’m sure she’s getting one from the Chooks. Personally I think Millie is the best player in the women’s game and Tamika plays a more important position so it’s hard to complain about who we recruited.
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Definitely can’t complain. Two of the best women in the game in two key positions for us is gonna be massive. Personally wasn’t all that keen with Romy at the back and her decision making in attack.
 
Romy’s running game is definitely her strength, whether she’s in the back row or centre - and I do reckon it should be back row, she’s actually bigger than Clydsdale and should cause a lot of damage if we can get her one on one with a halfback - a simpler role without too much decision-making should have her causing a lot of damage.
 
Yeah was assuming Southwell as she was the Roosters skipper and will be with us for many years now whereas Romy will join the new North Queensland team next year. I don’t think Millie has captained a side before but the chances of anyone besides Brigginshaw being named Broncos captain are slim to none, so that’s not a reflection on whatever leadership qualities she may have.
 
So if I have it right, the first game for the Australian women's 7s at the commonwealth games will be against South Africa and will be live on channel 7two 6pm Fri 29th (tomorrow) Jesse Southwell may or may not be in the side for a game against what should be a strong contender.
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
Cheers for the heads up legend, keen to see Jesse play.
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I suspect they won't give a 17 year old rookie a run in a big game, but they might.
I saw an interview with her yesterday and she said her team mates were they fittest people she'd ever seen, so it sounds like she'll come back to the Knights ready to go.
 
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