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Knights roll on, celebrate home Magic Round with a win

Yahoo

03-08-2025

Sport
Yahoo

Knights roll on, celebrate home Magic Round with a win

Newcastle have celebrated hosting the NRLW's first Magic Round by securing their fourth straight win. In front of a hometown crowd the Knights triumphed 18-0 over a luckless Canberra side, while the Warriors and Parramatta returned to the winner's circle on Sunday. The milestones continued at McDonald Jones Stadium with the first scoreless half of the eight-year competition between the hosts and Raiders, and a favourable bounce from the left upright keeping Jesse Southwell's perfect goal-kicking record this season (21 from 21) intact. On Saturday, the first drawn game eventuated between Gold Coast and Canterbury (14-all) and it was the first time games had been stopped by lightning. Newcastle fans sat uncomfortably in their seats as the winless Raiders held the two-time premiers to 0-0 at halftime. But the Knights kicked into gear after the break with tries to winger Sheridan Gallagher and prop Tiana Davison – both with Southwell in the thick of the action. What a try to open the scoresheet 🔥 Telstra Moment of the Match. — NRLW (@NRLWomens) August 3, 2025 A third Knights try to hooker Olivia Higgins, after sustained pressure on the Raiders line, sealed the result. "We knew it was a game we were going to have to grind and we were up for the battle," said Newcastle captain Yasmin Clydsdale. Canberra coach Darren Borthwick said that despite the 0-5 start to the season there was a lot of belief in his team. "It's still not the result we want but they keep turning up for each other and I feel there's light at the end of the tunnel for them," he said. North Queensland coach Ricky Henry said his side were "out-enthused" by the Warriors, going down 12-6 and throwing away the chance to grab a third straight win. The Cowboys took a 6-0 lead through a Rosie Kelly try in the ninth minute, but that was as good as it got. "Our intent wasn't there today – we got out-enthused," he said. After wins over Cronulla and Canberra, the Cowboys showed none of their customary grit and fightback. Halfback Kirra Dibb is still sitting on the sidelines after being dropped three weeks ago, but Henry says she will be available for next weekend's game against the Eels. A try for prop Ivana Lauitiiti after she swatted away three defenders in her 10-metre run to the line, and a second four-pointer to winger Payton Takimoana did the damage for the Warriors, who avoided a third straight defeat. "We spoke about being prepared to win the game by skill but we'll be ready to win the game by will," coach Ron Griffiths said. "We arrived in Newcastle to torrential rain so we did our captain's run in the rain and then had a swim at Newcastle baths. And the players just said 'Yep, let's get it done'." Eels shift it out to Ginn 🔥 — NRLW (@NRLWomens) August 3, 2025 And Parramatta bounced back from a big loss to the Knights, narrowly beating St George Illawarra 12-10. The Eels were down 6-2 at halftime and had an uphill battle after they lost five-eighth Cassey Tohi-Hiku (ankle) and centre Rory Owen (leg) to reduce their bench to two for the second half. It dropped to one when Kennedy Cherrington (concussion) left in the 59th minute and didn't return, but Fleur Ginn's four-pointer with nine minutes to go lifted Steve Georgallis' side to fifth.

The Knights' six rising talents in State of Origin arena

The Advertiser

19-06-2025

Sport
The Advertiser

The Knights' six rising talents in State of Origin arena

There wasn't much Evah McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, helped Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. This year is poised to be even bigger for the powerful second-rower. The St Marys junior has been upgraded from Knights development player to top-24 roster, locked down until the end of 2027, and will be pushing for a starting spot following the departure of Laishon Albert-Jones to the New Zealand Warriors. The dynamic forward represented the Indigenous All Stars in February and was included in John Strange's extended NSW women's Origin squad in March. Newcastle NRLW coach Ben Jeffries has likened McEwen to Knights, NSW and Australian game-breaker Yasmin Clydsdale, arguably the best second-rower the women's game has seen. "She's just dynamic," Jeffries said. "She can break tackles, has speed. She's got effort areas. I can see a real resemblance of a young Yasmin Clydsdale. "She's got the best mentor in Yas next to her, so she can learn from arguably the best in the world." The teenager is taking nothing for granted as she lines up for NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin showdown on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday (5.45pm). McEwen is one of up to six Knights set to feature in the under-19 Origin double-header. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Mariah Brown, both development players this year, are in the Queensland squad. Knights trio Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano and Jack Hilliar are in the Blues men's squad. The men's exchange is at 7.45pm. "I'm just enjoying camp," McEwen told the Newcastle Herald. "This will probably be my last time pulling on the NSW jersey until I hopefully crack women's, so I'm very proud and privileged to put on this jersey again. "There's no other feeling like it. It just brings the dog out of everyone, so I'm keen to do that all over again." McEwen was one of nine tryscorers as NSW annihilated Queensland 46-4 last year. "It opened a lot of doors for me, that was just the beginning," McEwen said. "It was the atmosphere as well. I can't even explain it. I'll be trying to soak all of that in, and I can't wait to do that all over again because there's nothing like Origin footy. "I'm keen to rip in and bring the shield back home again." Taulelei-Siala and Brown are among just four players returning from last year's Maroons side. Taulelei-Siala, a power-packed outside back, also had a big 2024. The 18-year-old Goona Eagles junior was in the Australian schoolgirls side, represented Samoa at the Pacific Championships alongside McEwen and earned a development contract with the Knights. Brown, who turns 19 on Thursday, is only 164 centimetres tall but is a tough and versatile back. The Highfields Eagles junior has been likened to former Knights' premiership-winning centre Abigail Roache, who has moved on to the North Queensland Cowboys. Hopwood and Votano are set for their second year in a Blues jersey while Hilliar has earned his first call-up. Last year, NSW beat Queensland 14-10 in the men's match. "It means a lot to me and my family to represent the Blues," Hopwood said. "You never know when you get to do it again. And, it means the world to be in the team with Jack and Connor. It's awesome to be able to do it with your best mates as well." Hopwood has just turned 19 but is already carving out a reputation against men in NSW Cup and the West Maitland Wallaroos junior looks destined to reach the NRL. A stand-out in the Knights' junior pathways system, he was elevated to an NRL contract for 2025 and is signed until at least the end of 2028. Standing at 195 centimetres tall and weighing 105 kilograms, the former Australian schoolboy representative is a highly-fancied prop with pure presence. "He's a tough front-rower who's got good skill if he needs to pass the ball, but his best attribute is his running game, and just defensively he works really hard for the team," Knights' NSW Cup and transition coach Michael Dobson said. "He's a great young leader. He's been playing NSW Cup against men all year and he only just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago, so he's doing a really good job." MORE IN SPORT: The Entrance Tigers junior Votano, 19, is an athletic fullback who is playing NSW Cup. "He's been doing a really good job, learning all the time," Dobson said. "Connor is a really good ball-runner who has good ball skills out the back of shape." Hilliar, a 19-year-old front-rower and Cessnock junior, has also come through the Knights pathways system and has played SG Ball (19s) and Jersey Flegg (21s) this year. "He's really tough through the middle and has got good leg speed," Dobson said. "Jack did the pre-season with the NRL squad, so they've all had a taste of NRL training. Connor and Cody every day and Jack in pre-season, which puts them in a really good position to go out and do a good job in NSW Origin." There wasn't much Evah McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, helped Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. This year is poised to be even bigger for the powerful second-rower. The St Marys junior has been upgraded from Knights development player to top-24 roster, locked down until the end of 2027, and will be pushing for a starting spot following the departure of Laishon Albert-Jones to the New Zealand Warriors. The dynamic forward represented the Indigenous All Stars in February and was included in John Strange's extended NSW women's Origin squad in March. Newcastle NRLW coach Ben Jeffries has likened McEwen to Knights, NSW and Australian game-breaker Yasmin Clydsdale, arguably the best second-rower the women's game has seen. "She's just dynamic," Jeffries said. "She can break tackles, has speed. She's got effort areas. I can see a real resemblance of a young Yasmin Clydsdale. "She's got the best mentor in Yas next to her, so she can learn from arguably the best in the world." The teenager is taking nothing for granted as she lines up for NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin showdown on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday (5.45pm). McEwen is one of up to six Knights set to feature in the under-19 Origin double-header. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Mariah Brown, both development players this year, are in the Queensland squad. Knights trio Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano and Jack Hilliar are in the Blues men's squad. The men's exchange is at 7.45pm. "I'm just enjoying camp," McEwen told the Newcastle Herald. "This will probably be my last time pulling on the NSW jersey until I hopefully crack women's, so I'm very proud and privileged to put on this jersey again. "There's no other feeling like it. It just brings the dog out of everyone, so I'm keen to do that all over again." McEwen was one of nine tryscorers as NSW annihilated Queensland 46-4 last year. "It opened a lot of doors for me, that was just the beginning," McEwen said. "It was the atmosphere as well. I can't even explain it. I'll be trying to soak all of that in, and I can't wait to do that all over again because there's nothing like Origin footy. "I'm keen to rip in and bring the shield back home again." Taulelei-Siala and Brown are among just four players returning from last year's Maroons side. Taulelei-Siala, a power-packed outside back, also had a big 2024. The 18-year-old Goona Eagles junior was in the Australian schoolgirls side, represented Samoa at the Pacific Championships alongside McEwen and earned a development contract with the Knights. Brown, who turns 19 on Thursday, is only 164 centimetres tall but is a tough and versatile back. The Highfields Eagles junior has been likened to former Knights' premiership-winning centre Abigail Roache, who has moved on to the North Queensland Cowboys. Hopwood and Votano are set for their second year in a Blues jersey while Hilliar has earned his first call-up. Last year, NSW beat Queensland 14-10 in the men's match. "It means a lot to me and my family to represent the Blues," Hopwood said. "You never know when you get to do it again. And, it means the world to be in the team with Jack and Connor. It's awesome to be able to do it with your best mates as well." Hopwood has just turned 19 but is already carving out a reputation against men in NSW Cup and the West Maitland Wallaroos junior looks destined to reach the NRL. A stand-out in the Knights' junior pathways system, he was elevated to an NRL contract for 2025 and is signed until at least the end of 2028. Standing at 195 centimetres tall and weighing 105 kilograms, the former Australian schoolboy representative is a highly-fancied prop with pure presence. "He's a tough front-rower who's got good skill if he needs to pass the ball, but his best attribute is his running game, and just defensively he works really hard for the team," Knights' NSW Cup and transition coach Michael Dobson said. "He's a great young leader. He's been playing NSW Cup against men all year and he only just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago, so he's doing a really good job." MORE IN SPORT: The Entrance Tigers junior Votano, 19, is an athletic fullback who is playing NSW Cup. "He's been doing a really good job, learning all the time," Dobson said. "Connor is a really good ball-runner who has good ball skills out the back of shape." Hilliar, a 19-year-old front-rower and Cessnock junior, has also come through the Knights pathways system and has played SG Ball (19s) and Jersey Flegg (21s) this year. "He's really tough through the middle and has got good leg speed," Dobson said. "Jack did the pre-season with the NRL squad, so they've all had a taste of NRL training. Connor and Cody every day and Jack in pre-season, which puts them in a really good position to go out and do a good job in NSW Origin." There wasn't much Evah McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, helped Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. This year is poised to be even bigger for the powerful second-rower. The St Marys junior has been upgraded from Knights development player to top-24 roster, locked down until the end of 2027, and will be pushing for a starting spot following the departure of Laishon Albert-Jones to the New Zealand Warriors. The dynamic forward represented the Indigenous All Stars in February and was included in John Strange's extended NSW women's Origin squad in March. Newcastle NRLW coach Ben Jeffries has likened McEwen to Knights, NSW and Australian game-breaker Yasmin Clydsdale, arguably the best second-rower the women's game has seen. "She's just dynamic," Jeffries said. "She can break tackles, has speed. She's got effort areas. I can see a real resemblance of a young Yasmin Clydsdale. "She's got the best mentor in Yas next to her, so she can learn from arguably the best in the world." The teenager is taking nothing for granted as she lines up for NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin showdown on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday (5.45pm). McEwen is one of up to six Knights set to feature in the under-19 Origin double-header. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Mariah Brown, both development players this year, are in the Queensland squad. Knights trio Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano and Jack Hilliar are in the Blues men's squad. The men's exchange is at 7.45pm. "I'm just enjoying camp," McEwen told the Newcastle Herald. "This will probably be my last time pulling on the NSW jersey until I hopefully crack women's, so I'm very proud and privileged to put on this jersey again. "There's no other feeling like it. It just brings the dog out of everyone, so I'm keen to do that all over again." McEwen was one of nine tryscorers as NSW annihilated Queensland 46-4 last year. "It opened a lot of doors for me, that was just the beginning," McEwen said. "It was the atmosphere as well. I can't even explain it. I'll be trying to soak all of that in, and I can't wait to do that all over again because there's nothing like Origin footy. "I'm keen to rip in and bring the shield back home again." Taulelei-Siala and Brown are among just four players returning from last year's Maroons side. Taulelei-Siala, a power-packed outside back, also had a big 2024. The 18-year-old Goona Eagles junior was in the Australian schoolgirls side, represented Samoa at the Pacific Championships alongside McEwen and earned a development contract with the Knights. Brown, who turns 19 on Thursday, is only 164 centimetres tall but is a tough and versatile back. The Highfields Eagles junior has been likened to former Knights' premiership-winning centre Abigail Roache, who has moved on to the North Queensland Cowboys. Hopwood and Votano are set for their second year in a Blues jersey while Hilliar has earned his first call-up. Last year, NSW beat Queensland 14-10 in the men's match. "It means a lot to me and my family to represent the Blues," Hopwood said. "You never know when you get to do it again. And, it means the world to be in the team with Jack and Connor. It's awesome to be able to do it with your best mates as well." Hopwood has just turned 19 but is already carving out a reputation against men in NSW Cup and the West Maitland Wallaroos junior looks destined to reach the NRL. A stand-out in the Knights' junior pathways system, he was elevated to an NRL contract for 2025 and is signed until at least the end of 2028. Standing at 195 centimetres tall and weighing 105 kilograms, the former Australian schoolboy representative is a highly-fancied prop with pure presence. "He's a tough front-rower who's got good skill if he needs to pass the ball, but his best attribute is his running game, and just defensively he works really hard for the team," Knights' NSW Cup and transition coach Michael Dobson said. "He's a great young leader. He's been playing NSW Cup against men all year and he only just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago, so he's doing a really good job." MORE IN SPORT: The Entrance Tigers junior Votano, 19, is an athletic fullback who is playing NSW Cup. "He's been doing a really good job, learning all the time," Dobson said. "Connor is a really good ball-runner who has good ball skills out the back of shape." Hilliar, a 19-year-old front-rower and Cessnock junior, has also come through the Knights pathways system and has played SG Ball (19s) and Jersey Flegg (21s) this year. "He's really tough through the middle and has got good leg speed," Dobson said. "Jack did the pre-season with the NRL squad, so they've all had a taste of NRL training. Connor and Cody every day and Jack in pre-season, which puts them in a really good position to go out and do a good job in NSW Origin." There wasn't much Evah McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, helped Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. This year is poised to be even bigger for the powerful second-rower. The St Marys junior has been upgraded from Knights development player to top-24 roster, locked down until the end of 2027, and will be pushing for a starting spot following the departure of Laishon Albert-Jones to the New Zealand Warriors. The dynamic forward represented the Indigenous All Stars in February and was included in John Strange's extended NSW women's Origin squad in March. Newcastle NRLW coach Ben Jeffries has likened McEwen to Knights, NSW and Australian game-breaker Yasmin Clydsdale, arguably the best second-rower the women's game has seen. "She's just dynamic," Jeffries said. "She can break tackles, has speed. She's got effort areas. I can see a real resemblance of a young Yasmin Clydsdale. "She's got the best mentor in Yas next to her, so she can learn from arguably the best in the world." The teenager is taking nothing for granted as she lines up for NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin showdown on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday (5.45pm). McEwen is one of up to six Knights set to feature in the under-19 Origin double-header. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Mariah Brown, both development players this year, are in the Queensland squad. Knights trio Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano and Jack Hilliar are in the Blues men's squad. The men's exchange is at 7.45pm. "I'm just enjoying camp," McEwen told the Newcastle Herald. "This will probably be my last time pulling on the NSW jersey until I hopefully crack women's, so I'm very proud and privileged to put on this jersey again. "There's no other feeling like it. It just brings the dog out of everyone, so I'm keen to do that all over again." McEwen was one of nine tryscorers as NSW annihilated Queensland 46-4 last year. "It opened a lot of doors for me, that was just the beginning," McEwen said. "It was the atmosphere as well. I can't even explain it. I'll be trying to soak all of that in, and I can't wait to do that all over again because there's nothing like Origin footy. "I'm keen to rip in and bring the shield back home again." Taulelei-Siala and Brown are among just four players returning from last year's Maroons side. Taulelei-Siala, a power-packed outside back, also had a big 2024. The 18-year-old Goona Eagles junior was in the Australian schoolgirls side, represented Samoa at the Pacific Championships alongside McEwen and earned a development contract with the Knights. Brown, who turns 19 on Thursday, is only 164 centimetres tall but is a tough and versatile back. The Highfields Eagles junior has been likened to former Knights' premiership-winning centre Abigail Roache, who has moved on to the North Queensland Cowboys. Hopwood and Votano are set for their second year in a Blues jersey while Hilliar has earned his first call-up. Last year, NSW beat Queensland 14-10 in the men's match. "It means a lot to me and my family to represent the Blues," Hopwood said. "You never know when you get to do it again. And, it means the world to be in the team with Jack and Connor. It's awesome to be able to do it with your best mates as well." Hopwood has just turned 19 but is already carving out a reputation against men in NSW Cup and the West Maitland Wallaroos junior looks destined to reach the NRL. A stand-out in the Knights' junior pathways system, he was elevated to an NRL contract for 2025 and is signed until at least the end of 2028. Standing at 195 centimetres tall and weighing 105 kilograms, the former Australian schoolboy representative is a highly-fancied prop with pure presence. "He's a tough front-rower who's got good skill if he needs to pass the ball, but his best attribute is his running game, and just defensively he works really hard for the team," Knights' NSW Cup and transition coach Michael Dobson said. "He's a great young leader. He's been playing NSW Cup against men all year and he only just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago, so he's doing a really good job." MORE IN SPORT: The Entrance Tigers junior Votano, 19, is an athletic fullback who is playing NSW Cup. "He's been doing a really good job, learning all the time," Dobson said. "Connor is a really good ball-runner who has good ball skills out the back of shape." Hilliar, a 19-year-old front-rower and Cessnock junior, has also come through the Knights pathways system and has played SG Ball (19s) and Jersey Flegg (21s) this year. "He's really tough through the middle and has got good leg speed," Dobson said. "Jack did the pre-season with the NRL squad, so they've all had a taste of NRL training. Connor and Cody every day and Jack in pre-season, which puts them in a really good position to go out and do a good job in NSW Origin."

They've already won the series. But Blues want to pile misery on Maroons

Sydney Morning Herald

26-05-2025

Sport
Sydney Morning Herald

They've already won the series. But Blues want to pile misery on Maroons

Blues back-rower Yasmin Clydsdale is primed to help NSW clinch a historic State of Origin whitewash this week – before returning for another crack at Queensland next year. The Blues have already won the series after victories in the first two games of the inaugural three-match campaign, and will be aiming to complete a shut-out at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday. Whereas their male counterparts might be inclined to rub Queensland's noses in it, if they were in the same position, the motivation for the women's Blues is simply to deliver the first-ever 3-0 clean sweep. 'We still haven't finished our job,' Clydsdale said. 'We've still got one more to get ... I think we'd just like to come away with the win and do the whitewash because it hasn't been done before. 'So we would love to start, like, a legacy of us having whitewashed the Queenslanders. I know that they'll come out blazing because they're playing for their pride. And we want to be able to get that whitewash win.' Blues utility Jocelyn Kelleher expressed similar sentiments. 'It's about having that record,' Kelleher said. 'We would be the first team to ever do that in the women's space and that record will never be broken again after that. So if we get that, that's ours forever. It's more about the legacy of that.' To put it in context, the NSW men's team needed five attempts before they first swept the Maroons in 1986.