RAYMOND Terrace Magpies rugby league graduate Lilly-Ann White has opened the 2024 season in a blaze of glory.

The dynamic fullback has enhanced her reputation with classy performances for the Newcastle Knights Under 18s in the NSWRL Tarsha Gale Cup competition.

White, who grew up in Tea Gardens and carved her niche with the Raymond Terrace Roosters and Magpies clubs, is on track to skipper the Junior Knights to the Cup finals series that commences in early April.

She remains a trump card for the Newcastle team that faces vital clashes against the Cronulla Sharks at Cessnock Sports Ground and North Sydney Bears at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence to lock in a finals berth.

A gifted fullback or five eighth, the talented prospect continues to impress officials with her vision and skills.

Her dashing displays in the preliminary rounds have propelled the Under 18 Knights to three victories and a draw from six matches to stay in the race for a top eight finals spot.

With the elusive White in red-hot form the Newcastle side have posted wins over Canberra Raiders (16-10), Wests Tigers (24-4) and St George Dragons (54-4) and drew 24-all with the Manly Sea Eagles.

Narrow losses to the third ranked Canterbury Bulldogs (12-6) and second placed Indigenous Academy (24-22) haven’t deterred the Knights on their spirited finals charge.

Lilly-Ann is regarded as one of the most promising custodians on the womens rugby league scene and has secured her immediate future by signing a two year NRLW development contract with the Knights.

Hunter Rugby League representative mentor Russell Grigg told News Of The Area that the boom seventeen-year-old has “a bright future in the game”.

“I coached Lilly Ann last season at the Raymond Terrace Magpies where she excelled as a half back in the Newcastle-Hunter Womens A Grade regional competition,” quipped the experienced Griigg.

“She has an incredible skill set and shows a maturity that far belies her years,” he said.

Lilly Ann joined Newcastle’s premiership-winning NRLW squad after starring for the Australian Schoolgirls team last season in an historic first ever test match against Papua New Guinea.

The emerging White was named Newcastle’s Tarsha Gale Cup Player of the Year in 2023 and could replicate that feat by stepping up for the Knights in a pressure-packed finals campaign.

By Chris KARAS