Newcastle Knights and former Origin halfback Melanie Howard points to the flexibility of her team as one of the keys to why her club is in the hunt for premiership glory.
The Knights have used four different fullbacks during the season for the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership, with their Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup No.1 Lilly-Ann White, who helped the Under 19s team make the Junior Representatives Grand Final, being one of them.
White has been in and out of the team after making her NRLW debut with Newcastle and going on to play five games (three tries). Then after changes in the back three, Howard lost her Queensland Under 19s five-eighth Jayde Herdegen to injury bringing hooker Joeli Morris up into the halves.
“Joeli is just a competitor. We lost Jayde early in the season and Joeli has stepped into the No.6 and has really owned it. I have a lot of trust in her out on the field,” Howard told nswrl.com.au as the Knights prepare to meet the Illawarra Steelers in the Grand Final at CommBank Stadium on Sunday 29 September.
“We just back each other and we work well together as she has some NRLW experience (Sydney Roosters). Off the field she’s an all-round good person so that helps our combo on the field.”
These two clubs are familiar with each other. The Steelers knocked over the Knights in the Westpac Tarsha Gale Grand Final in April at CommBank Stadium – the same venue as Sunday’s decider. Four Steelers are in line for two premierships within six months if they can beat the Knights again.
White’s return from Knights NRLW duties might help stop that from happening.
“Lilly’s had a couple of games in NRLW and came fresh out of a Westpac Tarsha Gale Grand Final so she brings plenty of energy and now experience back to our team. She has great communication out there on the field,” Howard said.
Steelers captain and centre Lily Rogan has an ace up her sleeve with former Jillaroos half Caitlin Moran, who won the 2022 NRLW premiership with the Knights. She also has three NSW Under 19s players who won their State of Origin in June – Indie Bostock, Bronte Wilson and Sienna Yeo. Bostock was also Player of the Match in the Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup Grand Final.
“They definitely bring a standard and we all rise to that. We do have some less experienced players but what’s bonded us is that away from footy everyone is a really good person, so we connected because we’re like-minded,” Rogan said.
“Working hard for each other builds a trust and relationship out on the field.”
Rogan and back rower Jordyn Preston on the Steelers left edge are a perfect example of that.
“I’ve played with her for quite a few years now, we actually started Lisa Fiaola (Under 17s) together. We know each other’s ins and outs. She’s a very determined, hard-working player and that’s who I want near me. I know she’ll show up for me and vice versa.”
Howard also has that mix of younger players in her side.
“I do feel a bit like the ‘mum’ of the team but I guess having the experience and cool head most of the time is helpful for the younger girls.
“We do have quite a young side and I feel that’s similar for the Steelers as well. But the younger ones are so keen to learn and have a really good attitude so they mix in well with us older girls.”
The Knights finished fourth while the Steelers finished second on the 2024 Harvey Norman ladder, with the best attack in the competition averaging over 31 points a game.
“Setting the tone for our own style of game is what’s worked best for us,” Rogan said.
“We have a lot smaller pack than most so we aren’t going to beat teams by bashing through the middle. We use our fitness, our speed, and our execution to score points.
“We don’t expect results in the first 10 minutes. We try to break teams down, tire them out and then have some joy.”
