The Newcastle Knights have secured one of the biggest signings in the club’s history.
But, it’s not a Kalyn Ponga, a Mitchell Pearce or any other NRL player.
The organisation today (1 July) landed Indigenous All Star Caitlan Johnston as its first-ever NRLW recruit.
A local junior and proud Awabakal and Gamilaroi woman, she brings both representative experience and genuine punch to Blake Green’s pack.
A hard-hitting forward with great ability on both the edges and in the middle of the park, the 20-year-old began her representative journey as a foundation Tarsha Gale Cup player for the Knights in 2018.
Captaining the side the following year, Johnston was selected in the Indigenous All Stars and Prime Minister’s XIII squads, in what was a breakout season at the tender age of just 18.
She was also named 18th player for the Jillaroos and played in the inaugural under-18 State of Origin team for New South Wales.
After spending two seasons with the Sydney Roosters, Johnston said she couldn’t wait to represent the historic Knights NRLW outfit.
“I felt having come through the pathways here at Newcastle, it was time to come home,” she explained.
“This gives our girls an opportunity to get where they want to in their rugby league careers and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I feel I’ll bring my aggression and knowledge of the game to the team.
“I’ve been mixing it with the best-known players, so I’m keen to lead from the front.”
The Knights were granted a licence to compete in the 2021 NRLW earlier this month.
The announcement was extremely timely, given the Newcastle Hunter Region Knights also won the 2021 Country Championships.
However, it remains to be seen if the likes of Phoebe Desmond and Harmony Liddell, two standouts in that tournament, receive a call-up to the new franchise.
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