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Tamika Upton will chase a record sixth NRLW premiership and her first as solo captain when the Brisbane Broncos face the Sydney Roosters on Sunday, after winning a third Dally M Medal.
Tamika Upton will chase an unprecedented sixth NRLW premiership when the Brisbane Broncos clash with the Sydney Roosters on Sunday, fresh off claiming a third Dally M Medal on Wednesday night.
The three-time player of the year insists she still has more to achieve in what is already the most decorated career in women's rugby league. She is the most successful player in NRLW history. Upton's Dally M win came as little surprise after a season in which she topped the competition for line breaks with 20 and try assists with 20. Her 15 tries only trailed Roosters rival Jessica Sergis, who scored 17.
Upton Eyes Record Immortal Status
If Brisbane defend their premiership title on Sunday, a record third Karyn Murphy Medal may also end up hanging around Upton's neck. Such accolades would propel her to the front of debate as to who the first female Immortal will be. When asked what heights she had left to scale, and whether she would contemplate a potential shift to Sevens rugby in search of a new challenge, Upton insisted there were more boxes to tick in the NRLW.
That starts with a first title as a solo captain this weekend. I don't really think about that, to be honest, it's just winning, Upton said. When we sit down and get into our preseason, that's the main goal. While I'm still playing, I'm a player and no better than anyone else on the field, and no different to anyone else on the field.
Upton, who comes off contract at the end of 2027, spoke about the mental challenges of the preseason and the bond of the squad. There are moments in the preseason where you honestly want to retire from football and wonder why you even play, and then you think about how you got through that as a team and where we are right now, Upton said. It's no coincidence because of how hard this squad has worked.
I'm definitely league through and through. I love the game as a spectator as well. I'll sit and watch every single football match, and it's where my heart is, she said. Being around this group and in this leadership role now, where we've got these young girls who are so stoked and buzzed to be here, it's my job now to pass on what I know and enjoy my time with them.
Sevens Stars Join NRLW Final
While Upton cannot see herself making a bid for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics in Sevens rugby, she will be joined in Sunday's decider by one of the NRLW's brightest stars. Halfback Jesse Southwell tasted Commonwealth Games gold medal glory in 2022. Bookending that triumph were NRLW titles with the Newcastle Knights. Hooker Jada Ferguson also tried her hand at the code in her teenage years before returning to league.
But the pair joined Upton in pledging their futures to the NRLW. None of those thoughts have happened. At the moment I'm just focusing on playing for the Broncos and playing this weekend, Southwell said. I think every experience you go through you can take a lot of learnings out of them, and Sevens was definitely no exception.
Learning from people like Charlotte Caslick on how to be a professional athlete, you definitely take a lot of learnings from that. Southwell has already steered New South Wales to State of Origin victory while representing the Jillaroos. She has gone on to top the 2026 season for points with 114, line engagements with 80 and line break involvements with 13, while equal third for line break assists with 18.
Brigginshaw Calls For NRLW Pro
Retiring Broncos great Ali Brigginshaw said it was obvious Southwell, who has thrown the final pass for Upton's past four tries, had blossomed in a full-time professional system. Australia's rugby Sevens program offers that, as opposed to the NRLW's current semi-professional state. Brigginshaw implored the game's governing body to look to the successes of converts as a sign to accelerate professionalisation. She pointed to how quickly rugby 7s superstar Teagan Levi took to rugby league on secondment from Rugby Australia.
This year Levi led the NRLW for tackle busts with 78 while playing for the Titans. Levi and 2016 Olympic gold medallist Evania Isa'ako were both named in the NRLW team of the year. I think coming out of the professional system at Sevens, you saw even with Teagan Levi how that can help, Brigginshaw said.
I think if the NRL are looking at something, the sooner you can put us into professionalism you can see what it can do to a small range of athletes, let alone the whole competition.
theage 
brisbanetimes:A sixth premiership and Immortality awaits. What’s left for Tamika Upton? 
smh:A sixth premiership and Immortality awaits. What’s left for Tamika Upton?This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
NRLW Premiership Dally M Medal Brisbane Broncos Jesse Southwell NRLW Professionalism
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