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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never kicked a field goal in a game before, in a real game I mean. But that was cool,\u201d Southwell said after the game. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then the second one came around and she was like, \u2018Jesse, kick it now\u2019. I was like, \u2018Sweet\u2019.\u201d <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that she did that after the first time is just a testament to who she is. She\u2019s got a really strong positive mindset as a young half, which you obviously need,\u201d NSW coach John Strange said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe backs herself. For me as a coach, I want all these players to back themselves, that\u2019s why they\u2019re in this team. All 17 players that played tonight are exceptional athletes and very good footy players. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
To do it at the ground she\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was just thinking about my next job because there were still a few minutes left, and I just knew the game wasn\u2019t over yet,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cQueensland have done it to NSW in the men\u2019s game and the women\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n
\u201cI actually move on Sunday,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll take my bags up and move on Sunday and then I think we\u2019ve got some stuff during the next week for the Broncos. But I\u2019ve been flying back and forth a little bit which has been really good.\u201d<\/p>\n