Homecoming: Knights to add NRLW firepower with Southwell, Meakes pickups

The Newcastle Knights, who struggled to a 0–5 record and a spoon in their very first NRL Women’s outing, are on the verge of landing two major scalps; local stars Hannah Southwell and Yasmin Meakes are expected to sign for the 2022 season.

Southwell especially will be an immense pickup for the Knights.

The star lock has already played 12 games in the NRLW since 2018, first representing the St George Illawarra Dragons before signing up with the Roosters a year later. The cross-code juggernaut—Southwell has represented Australia in football, rugby union, and league—has been a vital part of the grand final-bound Sydney squad for three seasons.

Yasmin Meakes has an impressive rugby league resume too. The 27-year-old Novocastrian made her NRLW debut in 2020 with the Roosters and has played five games. She ran out for New South Wales in State of Origin that same season, and has scored two tries in the top-flight premiership.

While The Sporting Base understands the deals are yet to be rubber-stamped, it seems like handshakes have already been made behind the scenes. The Knights were eager to snipe talent out of the pool early for 2022, especially considering their five-game loss streak.

They conceded 123 points and scored just 48 on their way to last place.

The Knights squad was not without star players in the 2021 season, however. Bobbi Law was a big signing for the team, with the Novocastrian joining from the Roosters. Jayme Fressard (Broncos) and Georgia Page (Dragons) were two more major pickups.

One big blow for the team came in the middle of the pack. Newcastle’s first-ever NRLW player, Caitlan Johnston, was tipped to lead the squad in the forwards for much of the season, but fell to injury. The 21-year-old has played in the Indigenous All Stars and Prime Minister’s XIII representative squads and came through the Tarsha Gale Cup ranks before joining the Roosters in 2019.

Head coach Casey Bromilow also lured Origin star Kirra Dibb to the side late-on.

Whether the Knights retain any of their 2021 players remains to be seen. One player the club is chasing hard is Romy Teitzel; the fullback shone in every Newcastle loss, and would be a big retention.

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