Kurri Kurri would have risen as one on Sunday afternoon. In the 60th minute with her Knights team trailing 18-12 to the Gold Coast, Bulldogs junior Kayla Romaniuk created a piece of grand final magic.
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The lock had just attracted two Titans defenders, popped an offload to create space for teammate Yasmin Clydsdale to go within inches of scoring.
On the next play, Romaniuk again received the ball, stood in the tackle and found halfback Jesse Southwell who shifted the ball to Tamika Upton - the star fullback crashing over to start Newcastle's fightback at Accor Stadium.
It's the kind of grit Kurri footballers are known for and now Romaniuk is the pride of the town as a member of a two-time premiership team.
After debuting three games before the 2022 decider against Parramatta, Romaniuk played every game in the 2023 campaign, including a starting role in round two and the round five win against Brisbane.
On Sunday, an inspirational captain's knock from Upton helped Newcastle retain their NRLW title with a courageous 24-18 win against the Gold Coast.
With the Knights trailing 18-12 midway through the second half, Upton produced two game-breaking tries to turn the decider on its head.
First the Dally M player of the year speared through a gap with sheer pace to dive over, then five minutes later she grubber-kicked and won the race to ground the ball in-goal.
Halfback Jesse Southwell converted both tries to steal the trophy from a gallant Gold Coast.
Upton, who was player of the match in last year's grand final against Parramatta, was a deserved winner of her second straight Karyn Murphy Medal.
The Knights started nervously, turning over possession with handling errors and penalties, allowing Gold Coast to grab the initiative.
Eventually the Titans made them pay in the 14th minute, when towering centre Jaime Chapman crashed over to score.
Back-rower Zara Cranfield converted and then added a penalty goal seven minutes later to give Gold Coast an 8-0 lead.
But just when the champs appeared on the ropes, they rallied and a try by winger Jasmin Strange in the 24th minute, after a cut-out pass from Upton, put Newcastle on the scoreboard.
In the next seven minutes, the Knights ran in tries by winger Sheridan Gallagher and Shanice Parker to surge into the lead.
At half-time, they held a 12-8 advantage, having crossed the line three times to one.
But four minutes after the break, Chapman put Gold Coast back on level terms with her second try of the game.
Three minutes later, she made it a treble and hooker Lauren Brown converted to open up a six-point lead.
The Knights maintained their composure and a ball-strip from Gallagher was a defining moment. Seconds later Upton scored her first try and Newcastle did not look back.