Kirra v Jesse: You'll get a real kick out of this contest

Watching Jesse Southwell and Kirra Dibb put boot to ball in this Saturday’s elimination final between the Broncos and Knights will be a kickers’ field of dreams. 

The two halfbacks can launch a Steeden with effortless ease.

Not only do they boast great positional and attacking kicks but they are the goalkickers for their respective clubs, ready to step up in big moments in finals.

In 2026, Southwell has her nose in front with 47 goals to Dibb's 40 and both have the same rate of accuracy at 84 per cent. 

Across the final four rounds, Dibb nailed 21 shots at goal, including eight from 10 in a thumping 56-22 win over the Bulldogs in Round 10.

Southwell tuned up for the finals with seven from eight in last weekend's 52-18 win over the Warriors.

“They are both incredible players and I know they will each be on their best game because there is a nice rivalry there,” said Knights captain Kayla Romaniuk. 

“The kicking is where we’ll see it but there’s also how each half fits into their team structures and sets up plays. 

“I’m excited to see them come up against each other.” 

The pair are more than familiar with one another’s game – they helped win the Knights’ maiden NRLW premiership in 2022 as No.6 and No.7.

Another player who was part of that celebration was fullback Tamika Upton, now back at the Broncos and reunited with Southwell this year. 

“One thing I do know about Jesse is that she’s very diligent and very prepared for every game,” Upton told NRL.com. 

“Nothing will change for her. Every single week you’d think she was playing in a grand final because of the way she prepares. 

“There might be a bit of extra feeling being the old club but her only focus will be what she needs to do for our team because she’s a massive part of our team.” 

Dibb’s return to the Knights after three years with the Cowboys has also brought the 29-year-old back into a NRLW finals campaign. 

“Kirra has been amazing for us since she came back,” Romaniuk said. “I think she’s finally found her feet back with us and it’s so good to see her enjoying football again.” 

Romaniuk came through the Newcastle pathways and played four NRLW seasons with Southwell. 

“Jesse is always able to pull something out of nothing and that’s the threat she has. It is also the thing you can least prepare for,” Romaniuk said. 

“We just have to stay connected in defence for whatever Jesse or their other strike players produce.

“Kirra will definitely rise to the occasion because she has done it at finals time before and hasn’t been around finals for a few years. 

“So it’s super-exciting for her to be back on this stage. Her kicking game has been outstanding this year.” 

Upton also knows the Southwell game inside-out after three seasons at the Knights. 

“She’s got to get me the ball the way that I like it and I’ve got to do my best in backing her up with what she’s trying to do,” Upton said. 

What the two-time Dally M Medal winner has noticed in Southwell’s game is the influence of coach Scott Prince, himself a premiership-winning halfback with Wests Tigers (2005). 

“One of the things Princey is so great at is instilling confidence in each player – ‘back your instincts’ is his motto," Upton said.

“He’s got Jesse running the ball a lot more. They also do (attacking) kicking sessions together and chat through the options. 

“It’s great to see and this is not a one-year project.  

“I’m very excited to see where Jesse's game goes.

“The kind of coach he is, he’s very attack-based and he’s freakishly good at it.”