LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
NSW State of Origin halfback Jesse Southwell has signed a two-year contract with the Brisbane Broncos, raising concerns about the competitiveness of the NRLW since its expansion to 12 teams.
After much speculation, Southwell announced on Monday that she would decline the option for the final two years of her contract with the Newcastle Knights.
The 20-year-old will be moving north to join forces with her Jillaroos teammate Ali Brigginshaw in the Broncos' halves for the upcoming season, before taking over as the primary playmaker in 2027.
During the 2025 regular season, no team was able to come within 10 points of the Broncos or the Sydney Roosters in their matches.
While the Roosters faced a challenge from Cronulla in the finals, the Broncos concluded the regular season significantly ahead, scoring four times as many points as the last-placed Wests Tigers.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo stated prior to the finals that it was premature to determine if the NRLW had become imbalanced following the transition from 10 to 12 teams.
In August, rugby league legend Andrew Johns urged the NRL to prevent Southwell's transfer to Brisbane, expressing concerns about the potential dominance of the team.
"If Jesse goes to Brisbane, you may as well just have one round, just have a grand final: Brisbane against the Roosters," Johns noted during a podcast on Nine.