Hometown hero Jesse Southwell has packed her bags and is ready to move to Brisbane this weekend, but she gave the Newcastle faithful the perfect farewell gift as she iced the first field goal of her extraordinary career to lead NSW to victory in the State of Origin opener.
Southwell has already achieved plenty in her career, with the 21-year-old winning two NRLW titles with the Knights and has represented both her state and country.
But she unlocked a new career highlight on Thursday night in the Hunter when she potted a crucial one-pointer to break the 6-all deadlock with the Maroons in the final 10 minutes as the Blues struck again late to win 11-6.
The field goal came moments after her first attempt was charged down by Destiny Brill, with teammate Olivia Kernick playing a key role in ensuring the next one went through the posts.
“I’ve never kicked a field goal in a game before, in a real game I mean. But that was cool,” Southwell said after the game.
“It was actually Kernick at that point. We had a discussion earlier when there was a break in play about setting up for a field goal. I went to the first one, she actually told me to do that one as well which was so good, and then I missed that one.
“And then the second one came around and she was like, ‘Jesse, kick it now’. I was like, ‘Sweet’.”
Southwell has never kicked a field goal in her 40-game NRLW career, but her coach knew she was the perfect person for the job.
“The fact that she did that after the first time is just a testament to who she is. She’s got a really strong positive mindset as a young half, which you obviously need,” NSW coach John Strange said.
“She backs herself. For me as a coach, I want all these players to back themselves, that’s why they’re in this team. All 17 players that played tonight are exceptional athletes and very good footy players.
“For me, it’s about them backing their ability. Jesse is obviously guiding the team around, but icing a moment like that when it turns up is exactly what you want.”
To do it at the ground she’s called home for four seasons with the Knights made it extra special for the young playmaker, who showed maturity beyond her years when explaining the emotions of the moment.
“I was just thinking about my next job because there were still a few minutes left, and I just knew the game wasn’t over yet,” she said.
“Queensland have done it to NSW in the men’s game and the women’s game time and time again (when they win it late), so I was honestly just thinking about the next job and not losing the game from there.”
Her next job in the NRLW will be in Brisbane after she stunned the competition by signing with the defending premiers for the next two seasons.
It’s why the field goal was the perfect parting gift before she leaves the region, with Southwell and the Blues looking to clinch the series at Suncorp Stadium on May 14.
“I actually move on Sunday,” she said.
“I’ll take my bags up and move on Sunday and then I think we’ve got some stuff during the next week for the Broncos. But I’ve been flying back and forth a little bit which has been really good.”
Originally published as ‘Kick it now!’: How Jesse Southwell overcame a blocked shot to ice the biggest moment of her career