NRLW grand final 2023 | Knights captain Hannah Southwell placed on report for hair pull during first half of NRLW grand final

NRLW grand final 2023 | Knights captain Hannah Southwell placed on report for hair pull during first half of NRLW grand final

Inside the opening 20 minutes of the NRLW’s grand final, Newcastle captain Hannah Southwell found herself at the mercy of the referee for a hair pull.

Titans captain Georgia Hale was the victim of the act, palming off Southwell with the Knights lock gripping onto her hair in the tackle.

Southwell was put on report for the incident. 

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“We don’t like the hair pull – on report, that’s enough,” former Jillaroo Allana Ferguson said on Nine’s coverage.

Following a fast start to the game, the Titans extended their lead to 8-0 following the incident.

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Titans centre Jaime Chapman was first to score in the 13th minute with the 21-year-old running onto an inside ball from halfback Lauren Brown.

The 8-0 lead to the Gold Coast only seemed to fire up Newcastle though as they hit the front at the end of the first half with a 12-8 scoreline.