Superstar fullback Tamika Upton has signed a three-year contract to return to Brisbane in a huge coup for the perennial NRLW heavyweights.
Upton's deal, yet to be formally announced by the Broncos, comes after Newcastle released her from the final three years of her contract to be closer to family in Rockhampton.
AAP understands Upton received interest from Brisbane's intrastate rivals Gold Coast and North Queensland, but the Titans and Broncos were the two frontrunners for her signature.
Upton, arguably the NRLW's best attacking player, has long-standing links at Brisbane having made her debut there during their 2019 premiership season and opted to return to her roots.
The signing is a major boost for the Broncos, who were minor premiers in 2024 before suffering a surprise loss to eventual runners-up Cronulla in the semi-finals.
Veteran playmaker Ali Brigginshaw, State of Origin winger Julia Robinson, powerful centre Mele Hufanga and Olympic gold medallist Gayle Broughton are among other key players contracted at Brisbane for 2025.
Four-time premiership-winning fullback Upton was essential in lifting the Knights from wooden spooners to back-to-back premiers in 2022 and 2023 on her arrival from the Broncos three seasons ago.
She won the Karyn Murphy Medal as best on ground in both of those grand final wins, and was also the 2023 Dally M Medallist.
More recently, she helped the Jillaroos win the Pacific Cup final against New Zealand after the Kiwi Ferns pulled off an upset in the corresponding fixture last year.
Upton's exit leaves Newcastle needing to find a new No.1 for Ben Jeffries' second season at the helm.
Wests Tigers co-captain Botille Vette-Welsh is without a deal beyond 2024, while Knights centre Shanice Parker has filled in at fullback previously.
