NSW Origin halfback Jesse Southwell is only 20 years old and has so much improvement still to come in her game.
But already, she’s one of my favourites as an old-school, on-ball halfback where she runs her team’s show.
I’ve had the chance to work with Jesse and I keep forgetting how young she is because she’s just so good.
When I was working with Newcastle’s NRL halves a few years ago, Jesse would jump into skills sessions when she would have been 18 years old at most. But it’s safe to say that everyone on the field in those training sessions was blown away by the skill level she has.
Going into the first women’s Origin game, NSW picked Tiana Penitani at five-eighth when she is usually a centre or outside back.
People were worried about how Jesse would go as the dominant half, and I could only laugh. Already, she’s the kind of player who thrives with more pressure and more responsibility on her – it brings the best out of her and we saw that in Origin I.
Her short kicking game was incredible against the Maroons, and it’s a credit to her. Jesse has put a lot of work in over the off-season and was coming down to Sydney several times over summer to work on her kicking.
All the credit goes to Jesse though because a kicking game is something that really comes together with time and practice. It’s clear that she’s put the work in.
We didn’t see too much of her running game against Queensland in Origin I, but it’s actually her biggest asset. She’s very powerful, quick and strong over the first 10-20 metres and has a really sharp right-foot step.
Her 2023 try against the Roosters which won Dally M try of the year that season is all the evidence anyone needs. And as far as being an on-the-ball No.7, she is the long-term halfback for the Jillaroos, starting right now.
The other thing I love about Jesse is that she just loves the game, too. She’s incredibly driven, ambitious, and as I’ve said, very hard-working. It all makes for a very special player with such a big future in the game.
The next step for the women’s game
Tonight’s standalone women’s Origin match follows on from a cracking series opener. I’ve long been a fan of the NRLW as just pure, enjoyable footy. There’s no wrestling and very little structure – it’s just so good to watch.
I’ve been very vocal about the NRLW becoming fully professional but for that to happen, you need to sell out stadiums and deliver strong, healthy crowds.
Jesse Southwell should be the long-term halfback for the Blues and Jillaroos.Credit: Peter Rae
Every women’s Origin seems to set new records for TV ratings – they keep going through the roof – and the next step for increasing revenue and salaries is to draw big crowds. Everyone, get yourself to women’s Origin tonight, I promise you won’t regret it.
Joey’s tip: NSW by six.
First try-scorer: Jess Sergis
Player of the match: Jesse Southwell
Back to the future, and the bench, for DCE
After looking at where NSW and Laurie Daley will go with their playmaking spine last week, there’s an interesting state of play across the border as well.
Do Queensland go with Daly Cherry-Evans or Tom Dearden at halfback? It should be an easy call given Cherry-Evans has been one of the Maroons’ best for so long, and captain since 2019.
Tom Dearden is Queensland’s future in the halves.Credit: NRL Photos
But DCE is now 36 and Cameron Munster has passed 30 as well, while Dearden is Queensland’s future and in career-best form.
With Ben Hunt out injured for at least the opening match, does Billy Slater pull the trigger and start Dearden as his halfback, with Cherry-Evans as an insurance policy as his utility? It is where DCE began his Origin career after all.
I think this might be Dearden’s time at representative level. He’s played four Origins for Queensland now and he’ll play so many more for his state in years to come.
Cherry-Evans’s form, though, has been indifferent at best since he announced his departure from Manly at the end of 2025. The Sea Eagles have won just one of five games in that period.
DCE’s form has been a by-product of his club team struggling and Manly has missed their key front-rowers like Taniela Paseka (Achilles), Josh Aloiai (shoulder) and Tof Sipley (suspension).
But the skipper hasn’t been at his best either and if it were me, I’d be considering handing the reins to Dearden at Suncorp Stadium in a few weeks time.
As it so happens, Queensland’s two No.7 options will line up opposite each on Saturday night – with Slater picking his game one team 24 hours later.
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Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.
