Rugby League: Novocastrian Yasmin Meakes soaks up 'surreal' NRLW premiership with Sydney Roosters

The 28-year-old Novocastrian was still riding a "surreal" high less than 24 hours after helping the Roosters claim their inaugural NRLW premiership.

Code-hopper Meakes scored a try which opened the Roosters' account and kick-started a dominant second-half, turning a four-point deficit into a 16-4 victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons at Redcliffe's Moreton Daily Stadium on Sunday.

The Roosters, who have lost two deciders previously, gave themselves a shot at the title when they upset favourites Brisbane in the semi last weekend having only just snuck into the top four a fortnight ago.

It comes less than six months on from the original 2021 competition being postponed because of COVID while Meakes, an Australian representative in both touch footy and rugby sevens, only turned to league two years ago.

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"It still feels a bit surreal," Meakes told the Newcastle Herald from Brisbane on Monday.

"I don't know how to describe it, other than it was just a phenomenal performance from everyone in our team.

"When you start playing a sport you want to achieve the highest accolade you can. So to win an NRLW premiership, not everyone can say they've won one, feels like a massive achievement myself personally.

"As a team, [coach] John Strange really built that foundation that we were ready to take on whatever."

Meakes, former CRL Newcastle player Isabelle Kelly and Hunter product Olivia Higgins all crossed the line for the Roosters during Sunday's showdown.

Cameron Park's Hannah Southwell, a NSW and Jillaroos representative, broke through for her first NRLW crown while Muswellbrook's Brydie Parker and Gloucester's Tayla Predebon were also part of the Roosters' side.

Meakes, who grew up in Cardiff South and now lives in Scone, described this campaign as a "massive ride" and revealed the moment when she knew the Roosters could clinch the crown.

"I think Strangey always had faith in us," she said.

"Everybody kept talking about how strong we were on paper but we just weren't performing [earlier this season], which was true.

"We'd had no trial games and nothing since last June so I think we were all trying to feel our way and learn how each other play.

"The first couple of games we probably tried to overplay our cards a bit, whereas we just needed to work together as a team.

"I still remember watching the Broncos game [last round] and I didn't think we'd get there, but they beat them by more than 16 [for us to qualify] and I thought 'ok, we can win this'."

Meakes has embraced her recent move from the outside backs, mainly centre and winger, to second-row and wants to keep "improving" in that position.

Although not revealing where she's playing next NRLW season, scheduled later this year, a busy calendar awaits Meakes in 2022 with the NSW Women's Premiership for Central Coast, potentially another State Of Origin appearance for the Sky Blues on June 24 and hopefully a World Cup berth for the Jillaroos.

"It's such an early stage in the year, but there's so much to look forward to," she said.

In the meantime, Meakes will return to the classroom as a PE teacher at Scone Grammar School but not before tying the knot with former NRL player Adam Clydsdale.

"I certainly appreciate all the things happening in my life right now," she said.

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