'I like watching it': The truth behind sisterly clash that left younger Jesse bruised and elder Hannah fined
Updated . First published
Newcastle captain Yasmin Clydsdale says there's no lingering bad blood between sisters Hannah and Jesse Southwell despite an on-field clash on Sunday between the pair that resulted in Dragons player Hannah being fined $400.
The Southwell sisters were seen leaving Sunday's game together with their parents, despite the late shot, with Clydsdale telling Wide World of Sports at Tuesday's NRLW finals launch that their competitive rivalry had played out similarly on the training field before Hannah departed Newcastle for an opportunity in the Red V.
When Nine's commentators realised who had made the hit on Jesse during Sunday's clash, they could not help but laugh.
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"Jesse Southwell got flattened," league great Ruan Sims said.
"Oh, stop it! That is the best.
Jesse Southwell is hit late by her sister Hannah during an NRLW game. Nine
"(Dragons coach) Nathan Ross wouldn't think that is the best, but that is unreal.
"I knew she would go after her.
"What do you think the parents are saying right now, well done, Hannah, or poor Jesse? I think they're saying 'good footy'."
Fellow commentator Peter Psaltis joked Jesse "stole her lunch money", resulting in Hannah putting her on her backside.
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Younger sister and star halfback Jesse had the last laugh on Sunday, with the Knights victorious 30-22 in their final tune-up before their finals campaign gets underway against the Titans on Saturday.
As the Dragons did not qualify for the finals, Hannah's season is now over.
This season marked her first year with the Red V after she and her sister won premierships together at the Knights.
Clydsdale confirmed the Southwell sisters were on good terms after Sunday's incident, lifting the lid on their competitive relationship that is quickly left behind once they leave the field.
Hannah and Jesse Southwell when they were teammates at the Knights. Chris Elfes via Elfes Images
"They were like that when they played in the same team, so it's funny," Clydsdale said.
"I like watching it.
"They are both so competitive that they want to go their hardest at each other, and they both just want to win. It's just a competitive mentality that they both have."
Newcastle finished the season in third place on the ladder, making them the highest-ranked of the four teams that play finals in week one. This season, for the first time, the top two teams, the Roosters and Broncos, get the opening week of finals off.
That pits the Knights against sixth-placed Titans, while the Cowboys host the Sharks in two sudden-death clashes.
"We have a younger squad this year, so I want them to enjoy this week, but also enjoy the opportunity and the challenge that is going to come up with finals," Clydsdale said.
