Rugby League

Upton to meet her match in do-or-die NRLW final

By Sebastian Tan

Sep 18, 2026

When Newcastle hooker Olivia Higgins watches young fullback Lucy Spain dart across the field to take spiralling kicks from rival NRLW sides, she's reminded of a former teammate.

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That is reigning Dally M Medallist Tamika Upton.

Spain is enjoying a breakout rookie season with the Knights after being thrust into the No.1 jersey in round two and locking down the position ever since.

The 24-year-old is a former touch football player like Upton, and when Higgins first became aware of her star power the NSW State of Origin representative took her under her wing.

"I just wanted her to believe in how amazing she was. People don't realise she has a touch footy background and hasn't played that much league," the hooker told AAP.

"I don't want anyone else playing at the back. She's a person I trust there, and she's earned her spot.

"She actually reminds me a lot of Tamika and how she plays."

Higgins played with Upton during Newcastle's back-to-back premiership-winning years in 2022 and 2023.

"They've both got very silky skills, obviously they're very fast, but ... they're also tall, thinner and just very tough," Higgins said.

"She's not afraid of the contact and she'll dive at people's knees and do what she needs to do for our team."

But the person looking to end the Knights' season will be Upton as she looks to power Brisbane to victory over Newcastle in a sudden-death final at Totally Workwear Stadium on Saturday.

The Broncos fullback has produced a glittering campaign and is a top contender to receive another Dally M Medal at season's end.

But Spain, who grew up on the NSW mid-north coast and is a long-time fan of Newcastle, is planning to live up to Higgins' claim and upstage Upton.

"I definitely wasn't really expecting it," Spain told AAP of her call-up in round two.

"It all happened quite quickly, but I just knew I wanted to put my best foot forward for the team.

"Coming through the pathway level and then getting this opportunity (to play in finals) means a lot."

Regardless of the result, making the top six is a huge feat for the Knights, considering they lost captain Yasmin Meakes (knee) early in the campaign along with Sheridan Gallagher (Canberra) and halfback Jesse Southwell (Brisbane) in the off-season.