Latest news with #JesseSouthwell
News.com.au
11-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Vote for The Daily Telegraph People's Choice Award nominees for 2025
Payne Haas' barnstorming efforts or Brian To'o's incredible running game? Jesse Southwell's career-defining virtuoso performance or Olivia Kernick's unstoppable output? Now that the State of Origin series are completed, it's over to you to decide who you believe has been the best player for the Blues' men's and women's teams this year. Voting is now open for The Daily Telegraph People's Choice Award for 2025. The winners of the awards will be announced at the Brad Fittler Medal night later this year. Last season, you voted Jaime Chapman and Angus Crichton as the people's champions. This year, we have five more worthy finalists for both the men and women, in what's sure to be a closely run race. MEN DYLAN EDWARDS Fullback Games: 3 Never stopped the entire series. Scored the game-sealing try in game one, put in a typically lung-busting effort in Perth, and ran for 236m in game three when the Blues were on the back foot, throwing the final pass for Zac Lomax's try. BRIAN TO'O Winger Games: 3 Scored five tries to equal the all-time record for a series alongside Ryan Girdler (2000) and Lote Tuqiri (2002). To'o continued his ridiculously good carries, keeping his average running metres above 200. His 644m was the eighth-most all time, solidifying what we already knew – he's such a weapon for the Blues. And he did it while carrying an injury. STEPHEN CRICHTON Centre Games: 3 The best defensive centre in the competition. He bravely held down the Blues' edge by himself in game one when Brian To'o was sin-binned. He also scored tries, set them up and generally created attacking opportunities when the ball came his way throughout the series. PAYNE HAAS Prop Games: 3 Big forward with a bigger engine. Haas was man of the match in game one in a match he dominated. In an arena where metres are at a premium and it's hard to gain the advantage, Haas averaged 125m a game as the Blues' main man, and busted 13 tackles. LIAM MARTIN Second row Games: 3 The Blues' talisman and a constant target for Queenslanders. If he wasn't putting shots on Cameron Munster or Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, he was tracking back when he had every right to run out of steam. Martin made 42 tackles in game one as he rattled the Maroons into submission. Followed it up with 37 tackles in the decider despite a right hand injury, which stunted his ferocity somewhat. WOMEN ABBI CHURCH Fullback Games: 3 What an introduction to Origin as the Eels star more than justified her selection. Church finished her Origin debut in game one with 15 runs for 130m, six tackle busts, a try, a try assist and linebreak assist. She was a brilliant attacking threat from the back, finishing with 15 tackle busts and more than 300 running metres for the series. JESSE SOUTHWELL Halfback Games: 3 Hard to believe she's only 20. Southwell's Blues recall – 12 months after being dropped – will go down in Origin folklore. Her pinpoint kicking game – both long and short – was sublime throughout the series. The ultra-competitive halfback produced two try assists and three linebreak assists as NSW hammered Queensland in game one, and directed the Blues around the park in game two to stamp her return to the Origin arena. ISABELLE KELLY Centre Games: 3 The new Blues captain was simply a beast this series. She earned player of the match honours in game one, scoring a try and terrorising the Maroons' edge. Kelly was equally as damaging as she led the Blues to a series victory in game two. She averaged 127m a game, with the only blemish when she dived over to score in the dead rubber, but the ball never touched the ground because it because it was pressed against her own right forearm. OLIVIA KERNICK Lock Games: 3 NSW's player of the series, Kernick was unstoppable in game two in particular. She scored two tries, set another one up beautifully for Simaima Taufa, ran for almost 200m and busted 10 tackles along the way to wrap up the series for NSW. The fact she did it in driving rain was even more impressive. SIMAIMA TAUFA Prop Games: 3 A devastating force in the middle for the Blues. Taufa ran for 123m in game one and 116m in game two, in just 40 minutes each time. The Raiders prop kept NSW rolling forward, helping set up both wins to secure the series, and even crashed over for a try in game two.
The Advertiser
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Fan photos from Origin's return to Newcastle as NSW Blues women look to make history
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. 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.
The Guardian
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
NSW Blues' historic State of Origin series win turns the tide on women's rugby league
When the tide turns for NSW it seems to happen in torrential rain. Forty years ago, when the Blues men's side finally beat the Maroons to clinch a first State of Origin shield, the image enshrined in history was NSW captain Steve Mortimer sinking to his knees in the SCG mud and bellowing sweet victory to the heavens. Now, in another downpour, the Blues women's side have made their own history in the slop of a Sydney stadium. Having endured the catastrophe of letting a 1-0 series lead slip last year, NSW made no so much mistake this time, ruthlessly putting Queensland to the sword to win Game 2 by 26-6 and claim a first Women's Origin series decided across multiple matches. This was redemption writ large. The Blues' win was marshalled by a red-hot halfback whose Origin debut as a teenager in 2023 had been soured by a controversial axing last year. Yet under new NSW coach John Strange, the now 20-year-old Jesse Southwell stole the show, defying the pouring rain to have the ball on a string connected to her kicking feet and magic hands all night. Queensland just couldn't unpuzzle her. Of course, every maestro pulling the strings needs a troupe of trombones in kahoots. Southwell had several warhorses galloping off her hip all evening. Veteran forward Simaima Taufa has 10-years frontline experience. The 30-year-old says very little off the field but her actions spoke loud at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night, charging at the Maroons like a Sherman tank. Olivia Kernick was right by Taufa's side. Still with a point to prove after being overlooked for the Australia Test team despite winning the 2024 NRLW Dally M Medal, the Tweed Heads lock was adjudged player of the match for a mighty performance which included two powerful tries, 236 running metres and 35 tackles (no misses) in a dominant showing in the middle. To call Yasmin Clydsdale a warhorse would be too obvious. The 31-year-old teacher from Newcastle gave up a fulltime job at Scone Grammar to chase Origin glory. And when the series was there to be won, Clydesdale was every inch the thoroughbred. This trio of power athletes battered the Maroons until they broke into 13 pieces. The synergy between these Blues warriors was all the more incredible for the fact they have had no NRLW games to tune up for the toughest challenge in the game. Instead, 'Doctor' Strange and his brilliant coaching assistant Ruan Sims – a former Wallaroo, Jillaroo, Origin legend and junior gumboot throwing champion – had to knit their side in training drills and team camps. Strange told them a successful tackle was no longer enough. Sims told them they must win every collision, every moment. Queensland barely fired a shot all night, although they led 6-0 early when Tamika Upton scrambled over in pursuit of a kick. Even that seemed an anomaly. Upton didn't celebrate and nor did her teammates. So certain were the Maroons that the ball hadn't been grounded, they retreated to their half. When the Bunker gave a green light they looked slightly embarrassed. Last year, Queensland did what Queenslanders do. They fought back from a Game 1 pummelling and a six-point deficit at halftime in the sequel to squeak a series-equalling victory from a Lauren Brown field goal. Shocked, the Blues blinked first, heading to Townsville and watching the series snatched away in a 22-6 drubbing. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion This series win is also a victory for women's rugby league who needed a light on the hill after being cut from the NRL's Las Vegas showcase in 2026. Apparently the Jillaroo's 90-4 win over Great Britain in March wasn't a good look for a game trying to crack the US. The solution for 2027 came subtle as a thunderclap last night: Origin. Take women's State of Origin to America and rugby league stands a chance of stealing a march on rugby union who are staging Rugby World Cups in the US in 2031 (men's) and 2033 (women's). Although the 15-a-side game has the edge at international level, the provincial grudge matches are where the NRL can echo NFL tribalism and thrive. For now, let the rain fall because the names of NSW's heroes won't be washed away. Like Mortimer and his ragtag band back in 1985, the 2025 Blues can rise knowing history has been made and a dynasty is there to be built in years to come. Hell, if they bring the storm to Vegas, they may even blaze a trail across the world.
Sydney Morning Herald
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why this old-school 20-year-old is already one of my favourite halfbacks
NSW Origin halfback Jesse Southwell is only 20 years old and has so much improvement still to come in her game. 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.
The Age
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Why this old-school 20-year-old is already one of my favourite halfbacks
NSW Origin halfback Jesse Southwell is only 20 years old and has so much improvement still to come in her game. 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.
