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When brothers Andrew and Matthew Johns helped lead the Knights to victory in the 1997 grand final, it was the first time Newcastle had lifted the trophy.<\/p>\n
Now, sisters Hannah and Jesse Southwell are trying to do something the Johns brothers never did: win back-to-back premierships.<\/p>\n
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Knights sisters Jesse (left) and Hannah Southwell.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Louise Kennerley<\/cite><\/p>\n Newcastle\u2019s NRLW side defeated the Eels in last year\u2019s decider and are among the favourites again this season after finishing top of the ladder.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re trying to build a bit of a legacy and a dynasty at Newcastle,\u201d Hannah said before the season. Now the Knights are on the cusp of a second grand final appearance in two years, but first they have to beat the Broncos at home in Sunday\u2019s semi-final.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve still got a long way to go. We\u2019ve got a job this weekend, and then hopefully we make the grand final,\u201d said Hannah, as she reflected on her pre-season comments.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, yes, I can see it [the dynasty] slowly starting to happen for us. We just need to not get ahead of ourselves and make sure we stay in the here and now. I definitely believe in this team and in this club, and we\u2019ve got great personnel around us and a great core group. Hopefully, it happens for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrew and Matthew Johns with their father Gary after the 1997 grand final.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Action Photographics<\/cite><\/p>\n The Knights have lost 10 of the players who were part of their 2022 premiership-winning team, including playmaker Kirra Dibb and co-captain Millie Boyle. There were questions about how they would back up in 2023.<\/p>\n But after winning eight of their nine regular-season games, including a comprehensive victory over favourites the Roosters in round eight, the Knights claimed the club\u2019s first minor premiership \u2013 men\u2019s or women\u2019s.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve just got girls in the team that want to win and play footy for the here and now,\u201d Hannah said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not thinking about the future or making an international jersey or an Origin jersey, we\u2019ve just got girls wanting to play for Newcastle and just win; win every game as it comes. We\u2019ve instilled that drive and that culture in the playing group, and everyone\u2019s bought in.\u201d<\/p>\n The minor premiership has secured a semi-final at McDonald Jones Stadium \u2013 something Hannah dreamt of as a child.<\/p>\n \u201cFor a young girl who was born in Newcastle, that went to the boys\u2019 games as a little girl and thought, \u2018I want to do that\u2019 \u2013 but nothing was around when I was a young girl. We had no pathways or anything,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, to have that now and to see the crowds not only turn up, but turn up in the masses is something that I didn\u2019t think I\u2019d see in my lifetime. It kind of gives you goosebumps, and it\u2019s like a pinch me moment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n