NRLW 2025: Tamika Upton reveals private family pain drove her back to Broncos

Isolated and alone, Tamika Upton was struggling with her own grief while living in Newcastle. For the first time, the NRLW star opens up on what drove her back to Queensland.

NRLW star Tamika Upton has revealed the depth of her struggles while living away from family in Newcastle and grieving the loss of her grandfather.

In her first interview since signing with the Broncos on Thursday, Upton has revealed the private family pain she battled across the past two years, driving her to request a release from the Knights after three seasons at the club.

While establishing her reputation as the game’s biggest star, Upton was mentally struggling while away from her family in Rockhampton.

“It’s the hardest thing ever,” Upton explains.

“Training and playing for 70 minutes is the easiest, it’s the second you get home to an empty house and your family is back home hurting.

“It puts everything in perspective.”

Tamika Upton has opened up on the tragic reason why she left the Newcastle Knights. Picture: NRL Imagery

During her Dally M Medal winning season in 2023, Upton’s grandfather was battling cancer.

He died in March this year.

Soon afterwards, her nan’s health took a turn and Upton felt isolated and useless living in Newcastle so far from home.

Upton had a full-time job with the Knights and lived in Newcastle permanently.

“You do not get a second chance to be with people and see people grow up, and I learnt that the hard way,” she said.

“(Her grandfather) was sick for the year last year, he had cancer and he passed away in March.

“Last year in Newcastle, mum took him everywhere and he came to Newcastle to games and he was experiencing things and he had a good quality of life, but once he was gone that was he hardest part, everyone left behind was so sad.

“You feel really helpless and you start to think about what kind of a life you want.

“I had a great three years in Newcastle and what we did together was so special, but to not be able to be at home to grieve was so hard.”

While Upton was unstoppable in 2023, claiming the NRLW Dally M medal, her grandfather was battling cancer. Picture: Getty Images

Knowing the depth of her pain, the 27-year-old was granted a release from the final three years of her contract at the Knights on compassionate grounds.

She wanted only to be in Queensland close to her family, and after weighing up her options at the Cowboys and the Titans, Brisbane was the best fit.

Just one short flight away from Rockhampton and with support nearby.

“My sister is here, I’ve got cousins here, and I’ve got really good friends from when I first came in. I feel like I’ve got a lot of connection and support here in Brisbane,” she said.

“(Ali Brigginshaw) is an absolute legend, she’s always looked out for me and I looked up to her when I first came in, she took care of me when I was here and even more so when I was gone, which shows her character.

“It’s so exciting go back and play with someone like her.”

WARM WELCOME

Rightly so, the Broncos rolled out the red carpet to welcome her home on a three-year contract.

Upton’s family, including niece Jaya and nephew Jalen, were flown down from Rockhampton for the signing, while the building was lit up with pictures of the four-time NRLW premiership winner in a show of the club’s excitement.

Images of the four-time premiership winner signing her contract on Thursday will send shivers down the spine of NRLW clubs across the game.

The image that will put NRLW rivals on edge … Upton signing a three-year deal with the Broncos, alongside Broncos head of development Paul Dyer and coach Scott Prince. Picture: Brisbane Broncos

The game’s best player put pen to paper flanked by NRLW coach Scott Prince and head of game development Paul Dyer at Broncos HQ on Thursday.

It instantly turned them into NRLW title favourites for 2025.

“They’ve built their program really well and that’s a credit to Paul Dyer and Princey and the roster they’ve built and players they’ve developed coming through. It’s really exciting,” she said.

Its expected Upton will walk into the No.1 spot occupied by Hayley Maddick for the past four years creating a battle between the close friends.

After starring for Brisbane in the past, the Broncos rolled out the red carpet to welcome Upton home. Picture: Brisbane Broncos

Maddick had her best season in the NRLW in 2024.

“People don’t realise, Hayley is my best mate, we speak almost every day, if not, every day, and she was one of my first calls,” Upton said.

“She knew I was struggling, she was a big push for me to come back, because she’s a genuine friend.

“On the footy side, she’s probably the last person I speak to before a game and the first person I speak to after a game, and vice versa.

“She’s an athlete, and it’s not like I’m walking straight into a spot, I’ll go in and earn one and she’ll do the same thing.”

Originally published as NRLW 2025: Tamika Upton reveals private family pain drove her back to Broncos