You won't break us: Johnston hits back after social media attacks

Caitlan Johnston dominated the headlines after signing with Cronulla from 2025 but the contract news was quickly overshadowed with a level of trolling the dual-premiership winner has never faced before.

It’s not the first time an NRLW star has been subject to internet trolls with Maroons outside back Julia Robinson at the centre of a barrage of online attacks in 2022.

While Johnston admits she has never experienced the level of vile body image attacks endured in recent weeks, the Westpac Sky Blues prop has put the phone down and hopes to hit back with the footy in hand.

“I’ve never had to deal with something like that and I would never wish it upon anyone else. I think it’s quite disgusting that they can body shame a lot of females in the game,” Johnston told NRL.com.

“I think it’s a really pathetic thing to come across but I’ve had a lot of support in the background from the girls, in and around the whole NRLW space.

“We’re just trying to start from something. We put ourselves out there and show what the female space is about and I think it’s quite disgusting that it can come to that.

"I didn't read much into the comments. I don't think it's worth my time seeing what these little keyboard warriors have to say.

I've just got to keep being myself and trust in the legacy and careers us as females are building at the moment.

Sky Blues prop Caitlan Johnston

It’s been a big couple of weeks for the dual-premiership winner after being selected for the Sky Blues series opener just days after news of her NRLW future broke.

Named to start at prop in Origin I alongside former teammate Millie Elliott, the 23-year-old will be hoping to pick up where she left off in sky blue in 2022 with a slashing debut that reaped six tackle breaks and 100 run metres in 38 minutes of game time.

“It’s about how you reflect on it and move past it - if you don’t buy too much into it then it doesn’t affect you and that’s the position I sit at the moment,” she said.

“It happens to the men and it happens to the women and I think it’s just a part of life and it’s always going to happen.

“It doesn’t bother me to a point where it’s going to affect me and I just need to focus on what's in front of me and go out there and get my job done."

One thing fans can expect to see on Thursday night in Brisbane is Johnston pushing off the back fence and looking to punch a hole in the Maroons defence.

“I think the big back fence run was a really big topic at the time [in 2022]. It was my first Origin so I didn’t really know what to expect and I don’t think any of the girls expected it from me either," said Johnston.

"But there was a different kind of fire in the belly with what to do in that game and I think I just took the ball in two hands and gave it my best.

“But that’s what is entailed with my job as a middle, to just keep doing those tough, hard carries.

“I’m excited to be back in the Blues jersey and have another go at it... but I have been told they won’t kick to me anymore."