NRLW star Jesse Southwell signs with Brisbane after Knights exit
Jesse Southwell has signed a two-year deal to join the NRLW premiers Brisbane next season. While that’s painful enough for Knights fans, what she has said about the switch will sting.
These words will drive a knife through the hearts of Knights fans.
Two-time premiership-winning halfback Jesse Southwell has officially signed a two-year deal with Brisbane, saying she wants to win a title with the Broncos.
On Monday the NRLW champions rolled out the red carpet for the 20-year-old, putting her face on huge screens in the club as she officially started her next era at the Broncos.
It comes after four seasons with the Knights, where the homegrown star made her NRLW debut at the age of 17 and helping deliver two titles to Newcastle in 2022 and 2023.
“I never thought I’d be here, but I cannot wait. I can’t wait to starting training and playing with the girls,” she said, speaking for the first time since leaving the Knights.
“(The Broncos are) a really professional club and been around in the women’s space for a long time, so that really enticed me, and then the style of footy and the way that they’ve been playing for the last few years has been really cool to watch and something I wanted to see if it would work.
“The biggest thing for me I could see the girls were learning here, I can’t wait to learn, learn from the girls, learn from the coaches.”
When asked about her goals for the next few seasons, she said: “I want to win. I think that’s the biggest thing. I really want to win a premiership and seeing the way the city reacted to both teams winning a premiership was super special and something that gave me chills, I just really want to win.
“That comes from week-to-week, being competitive.”
The words will sting for Knights fans after making finals for the past two seasons only to be knocked out before the grand final.
Southwell’s shift to Brisbane has come as a blow for the Knights who fought hard to keep the NSW Origin and now Jillaroos half at the club.
A local talent, the Knights saw Southwell as a player they could build the future of the club around.
She joins former Knights fullback Tamika Upton at the Broncos, who led the club to their first title in five years this season, and is expected to partner Jillaroos and Queensland captain Ali Brigginshaw in the halves from next year.
The Broncos have lost five-eighth Gayle Broughton, along with Mele Hufanga and Annetta Nu’uausala to the Warriors, as well as Keilee Joseph to the Eels.
“Ali’s been around the game since it started and even longer, and obviously (coach Scott Prince) Princey having played in the NRL and the experience he has and then being in my position too, I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can from him,” Southwell said.
“I’ve played with Meeks (Upton) and loved it, so yeah it’s cool to have a friend here, but I’m looking forward to getting to know new girls, there’s so many amazing players here and learning from all of them. There’s so much experience here in the club.”
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Originally published as NRLW star Jesse Southwell signs with Brisbane after Knights exit
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