The Knights have sealed the NRLW premiership in their first season, beating the Eels 32-12 at Accor Stadium.
Newcastle fullback Tamika took home the Karyn Murphy medal for Player of the Match, recording a try, try assist and 124 running metres.
Parramatta scored the first try courtesy of a smart run from dummy-half Brooke Anderson before the team from the Hunter took over.
Winger Kiana Takairangi scored the Knights’ first, off the back of some smart play from superstar fullback Tamika Upton.
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“The first opportunity they have had down this end and they have come up with points through their superstar fullback,” Fox league’s Shane Flanagan said.
The Knights then scored on the opposite wing with Emmanita Paki crossing for a four-pointer.
Newcastle halfback Jesse Southwell then took over, delivering a “beautiful” pass for backrower Romy Teitzel to crash over.
Upton once again showed her class, scoring a stunning solo try to all but seal a premiership for Newcastle.
“Too much latitude to a player with too much talent,” Fox league’s Matt Russell said.
“Tamika Upton, delivering a dagger to the Eels.”
Parramatta struck back after the Knights were caught napping, but a second Taikarangi try confirmed a Knights premiership.
Southwell later crossed for a four-pointer of her own, scoring in an NRLW grand final at only 17 years of age before Yasmin Clydsdale also crossed.
Post-match, Eels captain Simaima Taufa delivered a touching speech before Knights skipper Millie Boyle gave a speech of her own.
As the barnstorming prop gave a touching tribute to the team’s supporters, cameras showed Knights recruit Adam Elliott, who is Boyle’s partner, rubbing tears of joy from his eyes.
“To our girls, I am so bloody proud of you guys, we never gave up,” Boyle said.
“Thankyou to our family and friends for travelling down, we can hear you, we can see you and we love you guys.
38TH MINUTE
Knights superstar fullback Tamika Upton scored a stunning solo try to deliver a “dagger” into the Eels premiership hopes.
Newcastle’s No.1 skipped across the left side of the field, slicing through the defensive line to score.
“Too much latitude to a player with too much talent,” Russell said.
“Tamika Upton, delivering a dagger to the Eels.”
27TH MINUTE
Newcastle have asserted their dominance with a smart piece of work from halfback Jesse Southwell.
The 17-year-old gun put backrower Romy Teitzel through a hole to score untouched.
“Southwell to Romy Teitzel,” Russell said.
“Just too big and strong in the middle… just a beautiful touch, a nice little short ball,” Flanagan said.
12TH MINUTE
Eels hooker Brooke Anderson has opened the scoring, ducking under the Knights markers to reach out and ground the ball.
After a bustling run from Kennedy Cherrington, the crafty dummy-half saw space on the left and darted through.
“That is sure to be a big boost to Brooke Anderson,” Fox League’s Matt Russell said.
“Really smart play there from Brooke Anderson… just scored a grand final try in her first season of NRLW,” Fox League’s Niko Pajarillo said.
However, the Knights wouldn’t sit down and were able to score a try of their own courtesy of winger Kiana Takairangi.
“The first opportunity they have had down this end and they have come up with points through their superstar fullback,” Fox league’s Shane Flanagan said.
Newcastle then struck again, through “beautiful” footwork from winger Emmanita Paki to hand her side the lead.
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TEAMS
Knights: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Kiana Takairangi 3. Shanice Parker 4. Bobbi Law 5. Emmanita Paki 6. Kirra Dibb 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Caitlan Johnston 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Millie Boyle 11. Romy Teitzel 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Kayla Romaniuk 14. Emma Manzelmann 15. Tayla Predebon 16. Simone Karpani 18. Caitlin Moran 17. Makenzie Weale
Eels: 1. Gayle Broughton 2. Zali Fay 3. Abbi Church 4. Rikeya Horne 5. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 6. Ash Quinlan 7. Tayla Preston 8. Kennedy Cherrington 9. Brooke Anderson 10. Ellie Johnston 11. Christian Pio 12. Vanessa Foliaki 13. Simaima Taufa 14. Filomina Hanisi 15. Seli Mailangi 16. Najvada George 17. Rima Butler 18. Ruby-Jean Kennard
