Magic Round Mud, The 50,000 Milestone, and the Rise of the 40/20
Footy For Real: Magic Round Mud, The 50,000 Milestone, and the Rise of the 40/20
In the fifth episode of Footy For Real, Jada Taylor and Shontelle Stowers review a historic (and very wet) inaugural NRLW Magic Round in Newcastle. They discuss the explosion of female participation in the sport and break down the tactical evolution of kicking in the women's game.
A Record-Breaking Year for Women’s Footy
The show opens with some staggering new statistics from the NRL: for the first time ever, there are over 50,000 registered female participants across 389 dedicated competitions. Jada notes that the pathways are "absolutely thriving," with parents now reaching out to get their daughters involved as young as six or seven years old. Shontelle, a trailblazer who played long before the NRLW existed, reflects on how far the professional platform has come as they look toward a full-time competition in 2028.
Magic Round: Rain, Lightning, and the First Ever Draw
Despite torrential rain and lightning breaks at McDonald Jones Stadium, the first NRLW Magic Round was a success. The weekend kicked off with a historic milestone: the first-ever draw in NRLW history between the Titans and the Bulldogs. Even after Golden Point, the two sides couldn't be split. A highlight from the match was Tash Penitani scoring her first NRLW try, a moment made even more special by the emotional support from her sister, Tiana.
The Death of the 40/30: Elite Kicking Takes Over
A major tactical shift was on display in the wet conditions. While the NRLW has a unique "40/30" rule, the hosts noted that players are now so skilled they are simply aiming for—and hitting—40/20s instead. Taylor Preston (Bulldogs) was the standout, nailing two precise 40/20s that left commentators stunned. Shontelle credits legends like Alli Brigginshaw and Kira Dib for raising the bar, proving that the women's game no longer needs "shorter" kicking goals.
Roosters and Broncos: The Class of the Competition
The Roosters and Broncos both proved they are a level above, handling the "quagmire" conditions with ease.
- The Roosters' Depth: Even with torrential rain, Isabelle Kelly and Jessica Sergis produced elite footwork and ball security. The return of Taran Aiken further strengthened a "stacked" side, though it means quality players like Mia Wood are currently missing out.
- Tamika Upton’s Magic: The Broncos’ fullback continues to be the "conductor" of the game, bagging a hat-trick and a try assist against the Sharks. Jada admits that while many are great, Upton is the "woman to watch" whose success follows her everywhere.
Rising Stars and New Faces Several newcomers made their mark during Magic Round:
- Tyra Ekepati (Dragons): Scored on debut following a rare mid-season transfer from the Roosters.
- Laitia (Warriors): Played like an experienced front-rower on debut, living up to her family legacy at the club.
- Lily-Rose Kolc (Titans): Continued her high-workrate season, consistently topping the tackle counts alongside veteran Georgia Hale.
Round 6 Preview: Rivalries and Milestones
The hosts look ahead to several massive clashes, including:
- Dragons vs. Sharks: A battle of the 13s between "tackling machines" Brook Anderson and Hannah Southwell.
- Knights vs. Tigers: Can Jesse Southwell keep her 23-kick conversion streak alive in the Newcastle mud?
- Titans vs. Roosters: A rematch of the 2023 semi-final that the Titans famously won.
Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.
