Background
Born in Newcastle, New South Wales, Southwell played junior rugby league for the Newcastle & Hunter Rugby League, Kotara Bears. At age 13, she gave up rugby league as she wasn't allowed to play anymore due to her age. She is the older sister of Knights teammate Jesse Southwell.Soccer
Club
Southwell signed with Newcastle Jets FC (W-League), Newcastle Jets in 2014. On 20 September 2014, she made her debut in a match against Perth Glory FC W-League, Perth Glory, becoming the league's youngest goalkeeper at the age of 15. She made six appearances for the team during the 2014–15 W-League season. Newcastle finished in fifth place during the regular season with a record. During the 2015–16 W-League season, Southwell made 12 appearances for Newcastle and helped the team finish in sixth place with a record.International
Southwell represented Australia in the Australia women's national under-17 soccer team, under-17 and Australia women's national under-20 soccer team, under-20 national teams. In January 2016, Southwell earned a call-up to training camp for the Australia women's national soccer team.Rugby union
In late 2016, Southwell made the decision to switch codes and play rugby sevens. She made her first appearances for the Australia women's national rugby sevens team, Australian national team at the 2016 Oceania Women's Sevens Championship, Australia winning the Championship after defeating Fiji women's national rugby sevens team, Fiji in the final.Rugby league
2018
In 2018, Southwell returned to rugby league, joining CRL Newcastle in the NSWRL Women's Premiership. In June, she represented NSW Country at the Women's National Championships. On 22 June, she made her debut for New South Wales women's rugby league team, New South Wales, coming off the bench in a 16–10 win over Queensland women's rugby league team, Queensland. On 27 July, she signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons NRL Women's Premiership team. In Round 1 of the 2018 NRL Women's season, she made her debut in the Dragons' 4–30 loss to the Brisbane Broncos. On 6 October, she started at for the Prime Minister's XIII in their 40–4 win over Papua New Guinea. On 13 October, she made her Test debut for Australian Jillaroos, Australia, starting at in a 26–24 win over Kiwi Ferns, New Zealand.2019
In May, Southwell represented NSW Country at the Women's National Championships. In July, she joined the Sydney Roosters NRLW side. On 21 June, she started at for New South Wales in their 14–4 win over Queensland. In Round 1 of the 2019 NRL Women's season, she made her debut for the Roosters in a 12–16 loss to the New Zealand Warriors. In October, she represented Australia at the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s.2020
In 2020, Southwell joined the Central Coast Roosters NSWRL Women's Premiership team. On 27 September, they defeated the North Sydney Bears 16–10 in the Grand Final. On 20 October, she started at in the Roosters' 10–20 2020 NRL Grand Final, Grand Final loss to the Brisbane Broncos. After the game, she was named the RLPA Players' Champion.2022
Southwell was a member of the Sydney Roosters#NRL Women's Premiership team, Sydney Roosters team that won the premiership in the postponed 2021 NRL Women's season, playing in all seven matches including the Grand Final victory on 10 April 2022.References
External links