Why this old-school 20-year-old is already one of my favourite halfbacks
But already, she's one of my favourites as an old-school, on-ball halfback where she runs her team's show.
I've had the chance to work with Jesse and I keep forgetting how young she is because she's just so good.
When I was working with Newcastle's NRL halves a few years ago, Jesse would jump into skills sessions when she would have been 18 years old at most. But it's safe to say that everyone on the field in those training sessions was blown away by the skill level she has.
Going into the first women's Origin game, NSW picked Tiana Penitani at five-eighth when she is usually a centre or outside back.
People were worried about how Jesse would go as the dominant half, and I could only laugh. Already, she's the kind of player who thrives with more pressure and more responsibility on her – it brings the best out of her and we saw that in Origin I.
Her short kicking game was incredible against the Maroons, and it's a credit to her. Jesse has put a lot of work in over the off-season and was coming down to Sydney several times over summer to work on her kicking.
All the credit goes to Jesse though because a kicking game is something that really comes together with time and practice. It's clear that she's put the work in.
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The Australian
6 hours ago
- The Australian
Knights boss Peter Parr admits Newcastle may struggle to keep Kalyn Ponga
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The Australian
6 hours ago
- The Australian
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The Australian
6 hours ago
- The Australian
Brawling NRL agents to cop six-month bans
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Yet he failed to inspire the Blues against the Maroons in Origin this year in his first crack as a NSW captain after replacing Jake Trbojevic. Not that you can blame the champion NSW lock for the Blues' series defeat. On the other hand, Munster did so well as Queensland captain — even dealing with the tragic death of his father in the build-up to the series decider in Sydney. Thrown into the job to replace Daly Cherry Evans, Munster — despite not being a club captain — won man-of-the-match in Origin II in Perth. It turned out a masterstroke by coach Billy Slater to put the Storm five-eighth in as skipper. There's also the likes of Harry Grant and Nathan Cleary as possibilities. So we tracked down Walters on Friday to get his views. 'We've got some great options,' Walters said. 'And that excites me. 'In most of my time playing for the Kangaroos we had Mal (Meninga). 'Regardless of who's the captain, we'll have so many great leaders from the clubs and Origin teams. 'Obviously, it's not my decision alone and we'll be consulting the right people. The commission will sign off on it. 'Someone will run out first, but we need all the senior guys to contribute as leaders.' DRAGONS AND DOGS UNITE Long time rivals Canterbury and St George Illawarra have joined forces in a unique NRL partnership. Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton and his Dragons counterpart Tim Watsford have reached a profit-sharing agreement for the Las Vegas season-opener next year and for all future games between the clubs. 'We're going to work together off the field to strengthen what is one of league's most formidable rivalries to deliver what two of the NRL's most passionate supporter bases deserve,' Warburton said. 'We fiercely compete for 80 minutes in two games each season, but we're partners in growing the game for the other 363 days. 'It's about giving fans the best possible experience on game day.' Last weekend was a perfect example of the special rivalry that exists between these two clubs. A thrilling game that went down to the wire with a stack of controversy and blow ups afterwards. It's such great theatre. 'The profit share arrangement ensures both clubs are invested in the game's success from revenue and fan experience perspectives,' Warburton said. 'As the game continues to generate momentum, club-to-club collaboration is important. 'We are building for success both on and off the field and rivalries of this nature are paramount to the success of not only the club, but the game more broadly.' More NRL clubs should be working together in this manner. Imagine the crowds that the Bulldogs and Dragons will attract if Saints can get their act together and both clubs work together on the promotion of the game. WHEN YOU SWYSH UPON A STAR He might be nearing the end of his career but Broncos old skipper Adam Reynolds remains one of rugby league's most loved characters. The veteran halfback gets more requests than any other NRL player on the popular video messaging platform Swysh. More than 1500 athletes have signed up with Swysh to record messages for fans on special occasions with ten per cent of the fee going to charity. Reynolds is soon to release his life story in a book that will be available for Father's Day. There will be much revealed in regards to his messy departure from the South Sydney Rabbitohs three years ago. THE SWYSH TOP TEN 1. Adam Reynolds 2. Brian To'o 3. Stephen Crichton 4. James Tedesco 5. Jordan Riki 6. Ryan Papenhuyzen 7. Matt Burton 8. Tom Trbojevic 9. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 10. Hudson Young SEN'S RATINGS STRUGGLE Sports network SEN has had a disastrous result in Sydney's latest radio ratings. All shifts from Andrew Voss and Greg Alexander (1.2%) at breakfast through to Joel Caine and Bryan Fletcher (1.2%) on drive fell substantially. The Big Sports Breakfast on Sky Sports Radio also suffered a ratings fall that could be put down to the absence of Laurie Daley, who was off air while coaching the Blues State of Origin team. SEN also performed poorly on weekends, dropping to just 0.3 for Sunday NRL. In Sunday league ratings, the 2GB Continuous Call team fell from 9.9% to 7.5%. The big improver was Triple M which jumped from 5% to 6.2%, more than double the audience of the ABC. Sunday NRL Sydney 2GB 7.5% down from 9.9% Triple M 6.2% up from 5% ABC 3% up from 2.7% SEN 0.3% down from 1.5% Brisbane NRL Sunday Triple M 12.1% up from 11% 4BC 4.2% down from 4.6% ABC 3.4% down from 7.8% SEN 0.6% up from 0.4% THE BETTER HALF with Kristi Wilkinson - partner of Tom Trbojevic Okay we did Jurbo a couple of weeks ago, now Turbo. What's he really like away from the footy spotlight? If you know Tom, you know he does not enjoy the spotlight! Tom is a very down to earth, family-oriented man, some may say shy at first, but once he brings out his sarcasm, you know he feels comfortable. Away from footy, Tom enjoys cooking, golf, walking our dog CJ and travel. Where did you two meet? Did you know he was a famous footy player? We met was at Macquarie Uni back in 2020, where we both studied business degrees. He needed me to help him pass his final exam and in exchange he took me for a drink. Now you guys are getting married in December, how did he propose? Tom had just finished playing for Australia back in November last year, and we had planned a trip to Europe. Before heading overseas, we started our time off down in Bowral at Osborn House. Unbeknown to me, Tom had planned for the hotel staff to set up our room with rose petals, champagne and candles while we were at dinner on the first night. When I got back, I got the shock of my life. I loved how much of a surprise it was, it was really special. How is he around the house with chores, cooking, stacking the dishwasher, cleaning, gardening, feeding the dog etc? Tom is extremely helpful around the house, I will give him that! When it comes to the outdoors … not so much. Tom despises gardening and mowing the lawn, the only outdoor job he enjoys is cooking a steak on the barbeque! I guess all footy professionals are healthy eaters but surely he breaks out every now and then with some fast food? Our house is full of healthy food so the majority of the time, we eat a very clean diet. The day after a game though … I could find Tom anywhere from the local KFC, to getting a Maccas McFlurry, to enjoying enough pizza to feed a family! Tell us about his relationship with Jake, Ben and Luke? How tight are they? Well they spend most days at training together and then choose to spend their days off together, so they're pretty tight! They have a group chat with the four of them and their mum, Mel, called 'My Boys' and it's constantly going off. I asked this same question to Alix: The NRL is a roller coaster of highs and lows. Tom's had some tough times with injuries. How do you cope when he's having a rough trot? It is definitely a roller coaster! Tom cares so much about his teammates and ensuring he is doing his job for Manly that when uncontrollable situations occur, it can be really challenging. We definitely lean on each other during the more difficult times to try and lift the mood, stay positive and move forward. He's had some great moments; won a Dally M; played for NSW and Australia. I bet you're proud. Tom has achieved an inspiring amount playing football, but nothing comes close to his achievement of dating me! (haha). In all seriousness, what makes me most proud is how he shows up every day ... as a person and a partner. Phil Rothfield Sports Editor-at-Large Phil Buzz Rothfield is a 43-year veteran of sports journalism. He covered his first rugby league grand final in 1978 - the Manly Sea Eagles - Cronulla Sharks replay. Buzz has been involved in the coverage of every State of Origin game since its inception in 1980 and has covered sport in major countries including England, Russia, the United States and Brazil. NRL Cam Munster, Billy Slater and Cam Smith have a special piece in their career which Reece Walsh missed out on - an apprenticeship away from the forensic gaze of the NRL. NRL Jake Clifford has won the battle for scrumbase contracts at the Cowboys - and it is set to deliver a former Australian schoolboys playmaker to the Broncos.
