One of the biggest names in the NRLW has been at the centre of recruitment talks after a rumour emerged that Jesse Southwell is on the radar of the Brisbane Broncos.
The future of Southwell at the Knights has been a talking point across the league as she prepares to come off-contract at the end of the current season.
The NSW halfback has options in her contract that she can continue on for 2026 and 2027, with the Knights likely eager to keep their marquee player.
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At just 20 years old, her talent has certainly captured the attention of all in the league.
But the prospect of her moving to Brisbane likely won't sit well with many Knights fans. The Broncos already boast a star-studded roster and poached Dally M winner Tamika Upton from the Knights already.
Still, Ruan Sims doesn't want to buy into the rumoured Southwell move.
"Rumours are just rumours until there is any fact to back it up," Sims said on Wide World of Sports' NRLW Weekly.
"My understanding is that her management has come out and said it is just a rumour.
"It would have to be something pretty significant for her to break two more years of a contract. I don't like buying into it until there are some guts to it.
"If the rumour was to be try that the Broncos were chasing her, why wouldn't they? She is one of the best halves going around in the game. Her whole year has been fantastic.
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"The Broncos are allowed to chase who they want. Jesse is allowed to look around if she wants to, if she is not breaking any contracts.
"I know that Knights fans would be hurting because they've lost really good players. They would be like, 'Oh no, not another one. We can't let another one go'.
"I wouldn't begrudge her if she chose to go somewhere else. That is completely up to the player, it is up to her."
If Southwell is to make the move to the Sunshine State, it would see her team up with former teammate Upton in the Broncos jersey.
The Knights – who won back to back NRLW premierships in 2022 and 2023 – also lost gun forward Millie Elliott to the Roosters last year.
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