NRLW 2023 Grand Finals: Knights defeat Titans

Tamika Upton emerged as a prominent figure in the discussion of all-time great female rugby league players as she played a crucial role in helping Newcastle secure consecutive NRLW titles with a thrilling 24-18 victory over the Titans.

The Dally M Medal recipient was forced to employ her extensive skill set when it appeared that Newcastle’s aspirations of defending their championship were in jeopardy as the Titans established a substantial lead late in the game.

In high-stakes matches, exceptional talent consistently shines, and Tamika Upton demonstrated her brilliance by securing her fourth NRLW title, solidifying her status as the world’s premier player.

With just 10 minutes remaining and her team trailing by six points, Upton took matters into her own hands, capitalizing on a well-timed offload to level the score. She then executed a clever grubber and retrieved a loose ball for a try that only players willing to take daring risks can achieve.

Upton’s performance was truly scorching, capturing her second consecutive Karyn Murphy Medal and leaving the crowd of 40,649 spectators dazzled on a sweltering day in Sydney. She also contributed two try assists to her impressive stat line.

Despite finishing last in the competition a year ago, the Titans have positioned themselves as contenders for future premierships. The Gold Coast, which has historically struggled to establish successful sports franchises, now has a promising NRLW squad filled with youthful talent and newfound belief.

Although the Titans dominated the early stages of the match, their inability to capitalize fully allowed Newcastle to swing the momentum in their favor with a timely penalty. In just seven minutes, the Knights managed to score three tries, seizing a 12-8 lead at halftime. Upton played a pivotal role in two of those tries, while Shanice Parker and Sheridan Gallagher also made significant contributions.

Jaime Chapman’s exceptional performance, which included a hat-trick, demonstrated her greatness and earned her a place in NRLW history as only the second player to achieve such a feat in a grand final. Chapman opened the scoring with an intelligently executed set play and then added two more tries in quick succession early in the second half.

In a remarkable player-of-the-match display, Tamika Upton showcased her diverse skill set by running for 113 meters, breaking five tackles, providing an offload, executing a linebreak, and contributing two try assists in addition to her two tries.

The match was not without its share of contentious moments, including a hair pull incident involving Hannah Southwell, who was subsequently placed on report.

Ultimately, Tamika Upton’s late-game heroics, including a crucial grubber for her own try, sealed the Knights’ victory, allowing them to claim back-to-back NRLW championships.