Even in her wildest dreams, Knights rookie Keighley Simpson could not have imagined the reality that played out at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
After helping Newcastle's Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership team secure the minor premiership the previous day, Simpson was told she would be on standby to be 18th player against the Dragons.
Just 24 hours later she was a hat-trick hero on debut as the Knights came from behind to beat the Dragons 30-22 and claim a home semi-final against the Titans on Saturday.
With prop Tayla Predebon succumbing to a calf injury, Simpson started as 18th player and was activated seven minutes into the second half after teammates Simone Karpani and Mercedez Taulelei-Siala had failed their HIAs.
Simpson's call-up had come so late that family in New Zealand were unable to make it to Newcastle in time to watch her debut.
Knights v Dragons - Round 11, 2025
The previous day, at the club’s nearby Centre of Excellence ground, the 20-year-old scored the last of Newcastle’s tries in a 32-10 victory over St George to help the Knights secure the minor premiership.
Simpson said Knights NRLW coach Ben Jeffries was at that game and told her she would be on standby for the top-flight game against the Dragons the following day as Predebon was likely to be ruled out.
Speaking to reporters in the dressing-room after helping sing the Knights' victory song on Sunday, the New Plymouth-born left winger was still in shock after her whirlwind 24 hours.
Keighley Simpson 1st Try
“I didn’t expect to go on at all, being 18th player, but I was prepared to do the job when I got on,” Simpson said.
“When ‘Cedez’ came off for the possible HIA, they were like, ‘get ready’, so that’s what I did. Then anticipation over half-time, and after half-time I warmed up and still wasn’t sure if I was going on or not."
Simpson defused a bomb with her first touch in the 42nd minute, then two minutes later she was on the spot to take Tenika Willison’s pass and score in the corner.
The second try came courtesy of a Yasmin Clydsdale cut-out pass in the 55th minute, then her third occurred four minutes from full-time when she pounced on a Georgia Roche grubber kick to seal the win and third spot on the ladder.
“I was just stoked with the one,” Simpson said. “I was over the moon, so to get three was crazy. It was so cool – such a good feeling. It was unreal.
"I’ve got family at home [in New Zealand], and they couldn’t get here -- not enough preparation. They were actually here last week, so they were just a week off, but I’ve got messages all over my phone, so they were going off.”
Clydsdale, who celebrated her NRLW 50-game milestone with a classic captain’s knock, could not have been happier for her young teammate.
“That's the thing with this team and this club ... Like when they get that opportunity, they are ready to go, and Keighley Simpson is a prime example of that,” Clydsdale said.
“She literally was 18th [player], two HIAs, comes in and scores a hat-trick.
“It's unbelievable, but it's also a credit to the coaching staff, and our squad for prepping and making sure everyone's ready to go when they get that opportunity.”
A rugby union convert, Simpson only joined the Knights in May after completing the Super Rugby Aupiki season with the Matatu club.
NRLW Best Moments – Round 11
“I got a call like a week before, packed up all my things and came over here,” she explained.
Taulelei-Siala, who had scored on debut in the 16th minute before succumbing to her head knock, and regular fullback Botille Vette-Welsh, who missed the Dragons win after suffering concussion against Gold Coast a week earlier, will be checked this week.
Willison’s status will also be assessed heading into the home elimination final against the Titans after being reported for a high tackle on Dragons winger Maria Paseka, but coach Ben Jeffries said he would not hesitate in keeping Simpson in his team if necessary.
“Absolutely. She’d obviously be a chance to play next week,” Jeffries said.
“Obviously we just need to get some medical reports tonight and tomorrow and then look at the judiciary that comes back, then go from there ...”
Contracted at Newcastle until the end of the season, Simpson said she was considering her options for next year and beyond.
But she has enjoyed her brief stint at the Knights, who are preparing for NRLW and Harvey Norman finals next weekend.
“Fingers crossed, it will be finals either way, with reserve grade or here,” Simpson said. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
Match: Knights v Titans
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Knights
3rd Position
away Team
Titans
6th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
