5 days Ago By James Gardiner
Tamika Upton is arguably the best female rugby league player in the world and the champion fullback appears set to leave the Newcastle Knights. Login or signup to continue reading Upton has reportedly requested an immediate release from the final three years of her contract with the Knights on compassionate grounds. The 27-year-old, who was raised in Rockhampton, is understood to have returned to Queensland to be closer to family.
The draw for the 2025 NRLW season will be released on Thursday, with a start date in July. Squads are expected to assemble for preseason training in May. The Knights said on Monday they had "no comment at this point".
Upton signed a five-year contract with the Knights at the end of 2022, which was the longest deal in NRLW history. Her departure would be an enormous blow for the Knights, who have already lost Jillaroos prop forward Caitlan Johnston-Green to the Sharks in 2025. The silky-skilled custodian' helped steer Newcastle to consecutive premierships in 2022-23.
As well as win a title in 2023, Upton was player of the grand final, won the Dally M for the competition's best player and inspired Queensland to victory in the State of Origin. She backed that up with another stellar campaign in 2024, which ended for the Knights a game short of the grand final, going down 25-16 to the Roosters. A fan favourite, Upton was named the Knights' player of the year for a second straight season but was not at the ceremony to receive the award.
Last week, she was among six women players shortlisted for the IRL Golden Boot after leading Australia to the Pacific Nations Cup. Upton returned home to play for the Rockhampton Capras in the Queensland Cup in February between NRLW seasons. Rockhampton is about halfway between Townsville and Brisbane, where NRLW sides are based.
Knights NRLW coach Ben Jeffries would have ample time to find a replacement for the superstar. Lilly-Ann White, a Knights development player who debuted on the wing this year, played fullback for the NSW under-19s. Powerhouse winger Sheridan Gallagher also played fullback for Mounties in NSW Women's Premiership.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald. James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team.
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