![\"Romaniuk\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/kayla-IMG_2181.jpg\")
Newcastle Knights forward and Kurri Kurri product Kayla Romaniuk. Photo: Rod Thompson<\/p>\nAfter scoring a hat-trick in her NRLW debut with the Newcastle Knights, Keighley Simpson is determined to repeat the dose in the finals.<\/p>\n
In amazing scenes at the weekend, the 20-year-old winger was pulled off the bench as a concussion substitute at the tail end of the squad\u2019s game against the St George Illawarra Dragons on Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium.<\/p>\n
But, she quickly adapted to the role\u2026 and managed to secure three tries to set-up Newcastle\u2019s 30-22 victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took a while to sink in,\u201d Simpson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was up all night after I debuted, just thinking about it, my mind couldn\u2019t turn off.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just so surreal.\u201d<\/p>\n
The New Zealand native only joined the club\u2019s Harvey Norman side ahead of the 2025 season, having played a full game the day before her debut.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing into the match, I just wanted to be there for the girls and prepare\u2026 just in case,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never know what is going to happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, just being there and getting the call up was pretty nerve-wracking.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t have much time to overthink, which was actually good on the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just went and did my job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, the former 18th player has cemented her position in the squad for the Knights\u2019 play-off showdown with the Gold Coast Titans.<\/p>\n
The combatants will lock horns at McDonald Jones Stadim from 2.30pm on Sunday 20 September.<\/p>\n
Newcastle Knights forward and Kurri Kurri product Kayla Romaniuk. Photo: Rod Thompson<\/p>\n
While Simpson is keenly awaiting the showdown, so too is homegrown vice-captain Kayla Romaniuk.<\/p>\n
The Kurri Kurri Bulldogs product remains confident Newcastle will give a good account of itself in the elimination battle.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think back to my first semi-final a couple of years ago, it was only my second game,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, it was quite nerve-wracking.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, I think in the squad now, we have some great leaders.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got Yasmin (Clydsdale) and Olivia (Higgins) who lead us around the park.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes my job a lot easier, just understanding what I have to do in my role and everyone\u2019s the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, to be able to do that on the weekend, I think we\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
It marks the beginning of the finals series for the Knights, who hope to keep their spot high on the ladder.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new comp starts now, so we need to get the win on the weekend,\u201d Romaniuk said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd, I have full confidence in the girls to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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