3 days Ago By Scott Bailey
Newcastle forward Simone Karpani insists the Knights' time as NRLW heavyweights won't end with the exit of the competition's best player Tamika Upton. Login or signup to continue reading The Knights were given some good news on Tuesday when the NRL announced it will introduce a women's Magic Round weekend from next season, with the first event to be held in Newcastle. It will then move to other NSW regional centres in 2026 and 2027.
But the yet-to-be-scheduled weekend in 2025 could also double as the next time Upton plays at McDonald Jones Stadium. The 2023 Dally M Medalist has requested a release from the club on compassionate grounds, keen to move back to Queensland. The 27-year-old's release is expected to be granted, in a mega blow for the Knights.
Upton won premierships wearing the No.1 jersey in 2019 and 2020 at Brisbane, before moving to Newcastle in 2022. She then steered the Knights to titles in her first two seasons at the club, claiming the Karyn Murphy Medal for player of the grand final in both wins.
"It's unfortunate," Karpani told AAP at the launch of NRLW's Magic Round concept. "I am going to miss Tamika, she is a great player and person. I wish her all the best.
"But it doesn't (mean it's over). Tamika is an amazing player, but she is one player. "Our culture is strong at the Knights.
Whoever comes in next will be just as good, it will be exciting to see how we go." News of Upton's release request came as the NRL confirmed the inaugural Magic Round would be a two-day event with all six games at McDonald Jones Stadium. Newcastle has become the epicentre of women's rugby league popularity in recent years.
A sold-out crowd of 25,782 attended State of Origin II this year at the ground - the highest-attended stand-alone women's match in history. NRLW players are hopeful similar crowds will be replicated across the two days next year, creating the same kind of party atmosphere that occupies the men's round. "It's a perfect fit," Wests Tigers forward and Australia co-captain Kezie Apps said.
"It'll be awesome, especially if they do similar activations and make it a big festival like they do for Magic Round for the guys." The announcement comes after Newcastle was also handed the women's State of Origin series decider for 2025, on May 29. "Magic round is such an innovation, it's been really popular for our fans for a number of years now," NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
"To be able to replicate something like that for the women's game was high up on the commission's priority list. "We talk about (the record-breaking Newcastle Origin crowd) all the time. It was a real watershed moment for the women's game.
"Because it was literally pouring with rain, and we had a full house. It was a real turning point." Australian Associated Press DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team.
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