‘It’s scary to see’: Tamika Upton already the best player in the world, but her skipper reckons she’s only just getting started

They’ve won two comps in a row and have the best player in the world, but the rest of the NRLW has been put on notice with how good she can be.

She’s already one of the most decorated players in the women’s game, but Tamika Upton has been tipped to get even better in the coming years, with Knights skipper Hannah Southwell confident the star fullback’s best is ahead of her.

It’s a bold statement given Upton claimed the Dally M Medal last year and has won back-to-back Karyn Murphy Medals as the best player in the NRLW grand final.

Upton has already won four premierships and is eyeing another, with the Knights set to face the Roosters this weekend for a spot in the decider.

Tamika Upton (left) was the best player in last year’s grand final, but Hannah Southwell (right) reckons she can get even better. Picture: Izhar Khan / AFP

While she’s known for scoring tries and breaking tackles, the Knights star has evolved in other areas and led the league in try assists during the regular season, with her short passing on the edges confusing defensive units every week.

And while she scored two tries and set up two more in last year’s grand final, her skipper is confident that Upton’s only scratched the surface.

“I think she’s still untapped,” Southwell said.

“This is all off her own bat. She does a lot of homework, a lot of video and she’s always in the video room asking questions.

“It’s scary to see, and hopefully in the next few years she can be tapped and used to her full potential.

“She’s something else.”

Upton has had plenty of amazing moments this year, but Southwell still can’t get over a try she scored in the 46-10 demolition of the Titans earlier this month when she called for a kick from Georgia Roche on the second tackle and raced through to score.

Knights mean business🔥#NRLWTitansKnightspic.twitter.com/xPcLIh1Zrl

— NRLW (@NRLWomens) September 14, 2024

“She has to be the smartest player I’ve ever played with,” Southwell said.

“You just don’t know what she does off the ball. For example, in the Titans game, she actually called for Georgia to kick it early. You wouldn’t even know that (if you’re watching at home).

“Credit to Georgia because it was a great kick, but Tamika called it early. Because I’m in the middle of the line, I can sort of hear what she’s saying out the back, and some of the stuff is just incredible.

“Her game sense, game awareness and when to hit short or long is just incredible. I think she’s really progressed this year and I can’t wait to see how she goes in the next few years.”

Ben Jeffries might be the man in charge in Newcastle, but Upton’s leadership and thirst for perfection has driven standards in the Hunter as they look for a third title on the trot.

“She doesn’t run sessions, but she definitely steers us in the direction of where we want to go,” Southwell said.

“‘BJ’ (Jeffries) is obviously there as well and he runs the whole session, but if there’s something not going well at training, she’ll pull it up, or if someone is doing something really well, she’ll go up to them and say ‘great job’.

“When she retires and is a coach, I definitely want to be around that wherever she is.”

Originally published as ‘It’s scary to see’: Tamika Upton already the best player in the world, but her skipper reckons she’s only just getting started