Hannah Southwell is "in good spirits" and will still form an integral part of Newcastle's NRLW campaign despite suffering a season-ending knee injury in the season opener, Knights coach Ron Griffiths has said.
Southwell, one of Newcastle's most high-profile recruits and co-captain, ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee when she slipped while taking a hit-up in Newcastle's 32-14 win over Brisbane at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.