Fan photos from Origin's return to Newcastle as NSW Blues women look to make history
Among the Blues stars was local talent and Kotara Bears alum Jesse Southwell who, now at 20, stands on the precipice of history with the opportunity to become the first women's team to seal a 3-0 Origin whitewash.
"I never thought Origin would even come to Newcastle, let alone be able to play in one, so I can't wait.
"It's cool. Growing up here, I never expected to be playing rugby league as an adult with my mates.
"The way that the older girls have paved the way for every single young girl coming through now, it's just incredible to be part of."
When Origin came to Newcastle for the first time last year, the match was sold out, and while torrential rain prevented a 30,000-capacity crowd from turning up, 25,782 fans still filled the stands.
It was the biggest crowd for a stand-alone women's rugby league match until that bar was raised to 26,022 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium for this year's Origin I on May 1.
Newcastle has the chance to reclaim the record mantle with the NRL expecting in excess of 20,000 on Thursday night.
Women's State of Origin returned to Newcastle for just the second time on Thursday night as fans flocked through misty weather to see if NSW would defend its record to date over the Maroons.
Among the Blues stars was local talent and Kotara Bears alum Jesse Southwell who, now at 20, stands on the precipice of history with the opportunity to become the first women's team to seal a 3-0 Origin whitewash.
"I never thought Origin would even come to Newcastle, let alone be able to play in one, so I can't wait.
"It's cool. Growing up here, I never expected to be playing rugby league as an adult with my mates.
"The way that the older girls have paved the way for every single young girl coming through now, it's just incredible to be part of."
When Origin came to Newcastle for the first time last year, the match was sold out, and while torrential rain prevented a 30,000-capacity crowd from turning up, 25,782 fans still filled the stands.
It was the biggest crowd for a stand-alone women's rugby league match until that bar was raised to 26,022 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium for this year's Origin I on May 1.
Newcastle has the chance to reclaim the record mantle with the NRL expecting in excess of 20,000 on Thursday night.
Women's State of Origin returned to Newcastle for just the second time on Thursday night as fans flocked through misty weather to see if NSW would defend its record to date over the Maroons.
Among the Blues stars was local talent and Kotara Bears alum Jesse Southwell who, now at 20, stands on the precipice of history with the opportunity to become the first women's team to seal a 3-0 Origin whitewash.
"I never thought Origin would even come to Newcastle, let alone be able to play in one, so I can't wait.
"It's cool. Growing up here, I never expected to be playing rugby league as an adult with my mates.
"The way that the older girls have paved the way for every single young girl coming through now, it's just incredible to be part of."
When Origin came to Newcastle for the first time last year, the match was sold out, and while torrential rain prevented a 30,000-capacity crowd from turning up, 25,782 fans still filled the stands.
It was the biggest crowd for a stand-alone women's rugby league match until that bar was raised to 26,022 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium for this year's Origin I on May 1.
Newcastle has the chance to reclaim the record mantle with the NRL expecting in excess of 20,000 on Thursday night.
Women's State of Origin returned to Newcastle for just the second time on Thursday night as fans flocked through misty weather to see if NSW would defend its record to date over the Maroons.
Among the Blues stars was local talent and Kotara Bears alum Jesse Southwell who, now at 20, stands on the precipice of history with the opportunity to become the first women's team to seal a 3-0 Origin whitewash.
"I never thought Origin would even come to Newcastle, let alone be able to play in one, so I can't wait.
"It's cool. Growing up here, I never expected to be playing rugby league as an adult with my mates.
"The way that the older girls have paved the way for every single young girl coming through now, it's just incredible to be part of."
When Origin came to Newcastle for the first time last year, the match was sold out, and while torrential rain prevented a 30,000-capacity crowd from turning up, 25,782 fans still filled the stands.
It was the biggest crowd for a stand-alone women's rugby league match until that bar was raised to 26,022 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium for this year's Origin I on May 1.
Newcastle has the chance to reclaim the record mantle with the NRL expecting in excess of 20,000 on Thursday night.
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