Fullback Tamika Upton joins glamour NRLW team in Queensland after leaving Knights for family reasons
- Tamika Upton has signed for the Broncos
- Won two grand finals at Knights
- Also winner of the 2023 Dally M Medal
Superstar fullback Tamika Upton has signed a three-year deal to return to Brisbane in a huge coup for the perennial NRLW heavyweights.
Upton’s deal, which has yet to be formally announced by the Broncos, comes after Newcastle released her from the final three years of her contract to be closer to family in Rockhampton.
Ny Breaking Australia understands Upton has received interest from Brisbane’s intrastate rivals Gold Coast, but the Broncos have secured her signature.
Arguably the NRLW’s best attacking player, Upton has long-standing links with Brisbane and made her debut during the 2019 premiership season.
The signing is a major boost for the Broncos, who were minor premiers in 2024 before suffering a shock semi-final defeat to eventual runners-up Cronulla.
Experienced playmaker Ali Brigginshaw, State of Origin winger Julia Robinson, powerful center Mele Hufanga and Olympic gold medalist Gayle Broughton are among the other key players signed to Brisbane for 2025.
Four-time premiership-winning fullback Upton was essential in taking the Knights from wooden spooners to back-to-back premiers in 2022 and 2023 when she arrived from the Broncos three seasons ago.
She won the Karyn Murphy Medal as best on ground in both Grand Final victories, and was also the 2023 Dally M Medalist.
Superstar fullback Tamika Upton has signed a three-year deal to return to Brisbane in a huge coup for the perennial NRLW heavyweights
Ny Breaking Australia understands Upton received interest from Brisbane’s intrastate rivals Gold Coast, but she signed a deal with the Broncos (pictured, after winning the 2023 Dally M Medal)
More recently, she helped the Jillaroos win the Pacific Cup final against New Zealand after the Kiwi Ferns pulled off an upset in the corresponding match last year.
Upton’s departure leaves Newcastle looking for a new number 1 for Ben Jeffries’ second season at the helm.
Wests Tigers co-captain Botille Vette-Welsh is without a deal beyond 2024, while Knights center Shanice Parker has previously filled in at fullback.
The 2025 NRLW season will start in July next year, with the competition expanding to 12 teams.
The Bulldogs are a new franchise and the Warriors return after a four-season hiatus.