Caitlan Johnson not only returns to the Westpac NSW Sky Blues after a year out with injury but she is reunited with the NRLW Premiership-winning duo of Millie Elliott and Olivia Higgins.
The trio were part of the inaugural Newcastle Knights title in 2022 over Parramatta, before Elliott signed with the Sydney Roosters for 2023.
They are the starting front row for NSW in Game One of the 2024 Ampol Women’s State of Origin at Suncorp Stadium next Thursday (16 May).
“Having that opportunity with ‘Mills’ at the Knights and playing next to her in the front row has been pretty special,” Johnston told nswrl.com.au
“I learned a lot from her and I like to think we go very well as a ‘combo’ together. And then we’ve got someone also from club-land like Liv playing No.9 so that’s exciting as well.
“I’ve played really well with both those girls so it’s great to see our little trio back together in the middle.”
Higgins joins Canberra Raiders prop Grace Kemp as the two debutants for NSW in Game One.
Kemp will come off the bench for her second representative jersey in Rugby League after the Indigenous All Stars in Townsville last February.
“She’s my roomie and we have a lot in common,” Johnston said of the 22 year-old, who played for the Walleroos in 2022 before switching to the NRLW last year.
“She’s so tall – up there with Kezie Apps, Millie and Olivia Kernick.
“She has such a bright future ahead of her and I’m excited to see her pull on the Sky Blues jersey and show what she can do and what she has to give.”
Everyone saw Johnston’s talents when she made her Origin debut in the 20-14 win over Queensland at Canberra’s GIO Stadium.
Skittling Maroons forwards in her fired-up runs became Johnston’s trademark and helped earn her the inaugural Sky Blues Award at the Brad Fittler Medal dinner in September 2022.
But a knee injury kept her out of both Origin games in 2023.
“Obviously injury is not the best thing in Rugby League. It was definitely hard sitting at home watching the girls win in Townsville,” she said.
“It had me on the edge of my seat. I was yelling at the TV.
“I do remember that first conversation with (Origin head coach) Kylie (Hilder) when she was getting her pathways squad together and she said ‘Stay injury-free this year, I need you’.
“For myself I’ve done all the rehab; done all the right things; to get myself prepared for this.
“I’ve got myself fit and strong again because I’ve done the work.
“I now want to get out there and show all that because I’ve worked my arse off in the background.”
Johnston was on the interchange bench for her debut game but will start on Thursday at Suncorp Stadium.
“I don’t have a preferred position on whether I start or come off the bench … whenever you want me I’m there to do a job.
“But my long-term goal has always been to be a starting front rower and I’ve done a fair bit of that with the Knights.
“It is exciting for me and my family to start in the front row for an Origin.”
