Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown)— On Sunday 2 October, the Newcastle Knights took on the Parramatta Eels in the NRL Women's Premiership Grand Final—and an after extraordinary performance, they walked away champions.

The final score of 32-12 might suggest a dominating performance against an outmatched opposition, but that wasn't the case: it was a neck-and-neck struggle, with some early fumbles giving the Eels the first try of the match.

But by half-time, wingers Kiana Takairangi and Emmanita Paki and back-rower Romy Teitzel had scored tries, putting Newcastle in a formidable 14-6 lead.

Two minutes into the second half, Tamika Upton—who went on to be named player of the match—took the Knights to an 18-6 lead. But the momentum went back and forth over the course of the match: the Eels scored another try in the fiftieth minute, reinvigorating the side, before Newcastle scored three tries in the final ten minutes of the game.

Kiana got another try in the 63rd minute; Jesse Southwell scored in the 67th; and Yasmin Clydesdale sealed a commanding win in the 70th minute. Congratulations to these extraordinary women and their teammates.

They have done Newcastle proud.

A Community Recognition Notice is an opportunity for an MP to submit a short statement praising the work of an individual or group in the local community. If you have any ideas about people I can recognise with a Community Recognition Notice, please email and let me know!