Stars ready to put on a show during NRLW Magic Round

Knights forward Yasmin Clydsdale is confident the upcoming NRLW Magic Round will cement Newcastle's status as the epicentre for women's rugby league. 

The city has thrown their support behind the Knights amid a stunning run of success that culminated in NRLW premierships in 2022 and 2023. A sold-out crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium braved torrential rain to watch Game 2 of the Women's State of Origin series, with this year's decider to return to the ground. 

Clydsdale expects fans from far and wide to descend on Newcastle for the inaugural NRLW Magic Round, with big crowds expected for the two-day festival of rugby league.

"The heart of Newcastle is rugby league," Clydsdale told NRL.com. "Newcastle and rugby league go hand in hand. The residents want to support everything they can in Newcastle. We saw that in last year's State of Origin in torrential rain when we still had a sold-out crowd. 

"To have these games in Newcastle is a reward for supporters of the Knights. As a Newcastle player, we know how they show up for us. We hear girls from other teams say they don't want to come to our home ground because of the supporters, that makes me proud to be a Novocastrian. 

"The whole concept of Magic Round has gone so well in the NRL. The next place was for it to come into the NRLW. I'm extremely proud it's going to happen for the first time in Newcastle and I know people from all around will be coming."

The launch of an NRLW Magic Round comes on the back of the stunning success of the men's event, with rugby league taking over Brisbane for one weekend of the year.

The women's edition will be held in Round 5 of the competition on August 2 and 3, with three NRLW games on each day. 

Two-day passes for club members went on sale on Wednesday morning, with the general public gaining access on Thursday. Single-day tickets will be available from April 17. 

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the launch of an NRLW Magic Round is a major milestone for women's rugby league and expects the event to replicate the success of the NRL edition. 

“Magic Round has been a phenomenal success for our game, and it will be a wonderful opportunity for fans to experience that same colour and atmosphere in Newcastle for the first NRLW Magic Round in August this year," Abdo said.

“Magic Round is the next important step in the growth of the NRLW competition and it is great that we can bring that carnival experience to one of our most passionate rugby league fanbases in Newcastle and showcase the best of the women’s game for regional fans.

“We are extremely grateful for the investment and support of the NSW Government in helping us deliver another historic moment for women’s rugby league.”

While Clydsdale's long-term focus is on the Knights NRLW campaign, she is currently building towards this year's Women's State of Origin series. 

McDonald Jones Stadium will host Game III on Thursday May 29, with NSW desperate to avenge last year's defeat.

Lauren Brown broke the Sky Blues hearts at the ground last year with a 68th-minute field goal to send the series to a decider, ultimately won by Queensland in Townsville. 

The NSW program has been overhauled this season, with Roosters coach John Strange stepping in as coach and naming a number of new faces in his 30-player squad. 

Clydsdale has mixed emotions of last year's Newcastle defeat and she's determined to ensure the Sky Blues taste victory on her home ground in front of another big crowd this year.

"We're so fortunate on the back of a massive reception last year that we get the final game in Newcastle this year," Clydsdale said. "Hopefully as a NSW player we have the series wrapped up by then. 

"If it does come down to the final game, Newcastle will show up again for an absolute cracker of a game."