Riding the high of an eight-game winning streak, the Knights will look to make it back-to-back premierships when they take on a Titans side playing in a grand final for the very first time.
In front of a 12,689-strong crowd in Newcastle the Knights saw off a late challenge from the Broncos to win their semi-final 30-24 on Sunday, with fullback Tamika Upton continuing her brilliant 2023 season with a star showing that included two try assists and a four-point of her own.
Without a loss since being upset by the Cowboys back in Round 2, Newcastle have failed to win just two of their 17 games over the past two seasons and join the Broncos (who did it three seasons in a row between 2018-20) as the only NRLW club to qualify through to grand finals in consecutive years.
Standing between them and another title is a Gold Coast side who are on the verge of completing the ultimate turnaround in the space of 12 months, after they finished dead last in 2022.
Before even taking the field at Accor Stadium the Titans have made history, with coach Karyn Murphy confirmed as the first female ever to coach a side to a NRLW grand final after her side toughed out a 12-0 victory over pre-season favourites the Roosters in the semi-finals.
The Knights hold a 2-1 advantage in their three head-to-head clashes against the Titans, with the latest of those wins coming in August when Newcastle ran out 22-10 winners at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Newcastle have only good memories at Accor Stadium, having claimed the premiership there last year in their only previous visit to the venue, while the Titans will be playing there for the first time.
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Team News
Knights: No late changes. Sheridan Gallagher is set to again push through a lingering knee injury, while Rima Butler also looks good to go despite playing through the pain of a thumb issue last week. Caitlan Johnston accepted a $400 fine for a high shot last week and is cleared to play.
Titans: Karyn Murphy has stuck with the same 17 that got the job done against the Roosters last week with no late changes to this week's side. Jillaroos playmaker Taliah Fuimaono is the 18th player.
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Stat Attack
- Tamika Upton averages a competition-high 222 metres per game this season and has run for over 200 metres in seven of her 10 appearances in 2023.
- Through the regular season the Knights had the best defensive record in the NRLW, while the Titans made it to the finals despite having scored the fourth fewest points in the 10-team competition.
- Titans lock Georgia Hale averages a competition-leading 45.9 tackles per game this season. The busiest Knights defender, Yasmin Clydsdale, averages 23.8 tackles per game.
- The Titans have conceded only 22 points in their past four games.
- The Knights have scored at least 20 points in every game this season.
- The Titans are aiming to become the first Gold Coast team to win a premiership.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.