LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy

Subduing a superstar: Bo's up for the 'man' sized challenge

Botille Vette-Welsh faces a considerable challenge: overtaking the superstar she was brought in to replace.

As the Knights prepare to meet the four-time premiership winner Tamika Upton and the Broncos in the NRLW preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, Vette-Welsh is ready for the showdown.

After missing the final round of the season due to a concussion, she made a notable comeback, contributing significantly to Newcastle's 34-20 win over Gold Coast at McDonald Jones Stadium, which secured the Knights a spot in their fourth consecutive grand final qualifier.

However, their path is obstructed by Upton, Brisbane's influential co-captain, who donned the No. 1 jersey for Newcastle in the last three preliminary finals and earned the Karyn Murphy Medal in the Knights' grand final wins in both 2022 and 2023.