A star is born: How 2019 Grand Final launched Upton's career

Tamika Upton will return to Accor Stadium on Sunday three years after she went from a raw winger with a touch footy background to a star fullback who is one win away from another NRLW title.

The 25-year-old was a late call-up for the Broncos in the 2019 decider after just two games on the wing, with former coach Kelvin Wright opting for Upton over regular fullback Chelsea Baker on game day. 

The bold selection call came down to form with Upton’s first match in the No.1 jersey coming up trumps as the Broncos thumped the Dragons 30-6.

Since then, Upton hasn’t looked back, becoming one of the best fullbacks in the game as she eyes the chance to guide her new club Newcastle to their first NRLW trophy.

“That was a spur-of-the-moment call, I’d never played fullback before,” Upton said on reflection this week.

“That was my first real rep year. I didn’t find out until really late so I’ll take out of that, that is anything can happen on grand final day and team-first efforts go a long way.

“The way we prepared was really good.”

Upton's experience in NRLW grand finals is set to go a long way in Newcastle's premiership chances, along with her powerhouse efforts after single-handledly destroying the Dragons last week.

Her two-try effort in her return from a calf strain will send alarm bells for the Eels, who will go into the decider as rank outsiders. 

Upton wore blue tape on her calf as part of her comeback, a trend that is expected to continue on Sunday.

"It’s actually psychological, as soon as I put it on my calf doesn’t hurt at all," Upton said.

"I didn’t know what it was at first, I thought I was cramping. I’ve never been better."

The Rockhampton junior arrived to Newcastle with a weight of expectation after she was signed to the club on a marquee contract alongside teammate Millie Boyle.

Newcastle's recruitment drive may have been extensive but Upton and her teammate's ability to live up to the hype is most impressive.

"Everyone was saying there was a lot of pressure but I never felt it because of the girls here and especially the coach that we have, we’ve built a good culture around team performance and effort areas," Upton said.

"This is the most I’ve enjoyed my footy in a long time. [Sunday] is going to be unreal.

"When we first came together it’s something we wanted to achieve. We weren’t particularly happy with some areas the first couple of weeks but we’ve been able to fix them.

"I got showed a vision when I first went to visit the facility and it’s all come true.

"Ron has stuck by his word and he’s built a good squad, the club has supported us so well that we’re able to achieve that."