Baby Blue: Caitlan eyes rep recall after comeback with Sharks

After making her NRLW return for the Sharks just three months post-pregnancy, Caitlan Johnston-Green has her sights set on re-claiming her Test and Origin jerseys. 

Johnston-Green cemented herself as one of the best props in the game before falling pregnant last year and she is eager to step back into the representative arena after giving birth to daughter, Amarah, in May.

“I think obviously it'll be the next topic of conversation after returning," Johnston-Green said. "Hopefully they’re in sight in the next year, but I’d love to put those jerseys back on and represent them."

The Jillaroos front-rower featured heavily in the 2024 State of Origin series, starting at prop in every match, and scored an important try in Game One to help seal victory for the NSW Blues.

Joining the Sharks on a three-year deal this season, Johnston-Green's stint with the Knights was cut short by a knee injury and she then had to delay her return due to the pregnancy.

With two grand final wins at Newcastle, and Origin and Test honours to her name, Johnston-Green is now aiming to build into a strong back-end of the season with the Sharks to help push for a premiership in 2025. 

After playing 18 minutes in her Round 8 comeback against the Titans, Johnston-Green has again been named on the bench for Sunday's trip to Hamilton to face the Warriors.

The 24-year-old commended the level of nurturing and effort the Sharks staff and playing group had shown towards her since joining the club. 

“The medical staff have really helped me in that, I think the girls as well, they have been a very big driver for me, so to be in a Sharks jersey, it’s pretty cool," she said.

“I didn’t realise I’d be back so quickly but I was tracking really well and you know, we went through every medical procedure we could do to return me, and it’s been really good."

Johnston-Green's strong ties with her Indigenous culture made it an even better occasion last Saturday, with the All-Stars representative lining up for her Sharks debut in the second week of Indigenous Round. 

She said the opportunity afforded to her by Sharks coach Tony Herman to make her return in Indigenous Round was a stand-out moment in her career.

“It's been different, I think obviously stepping into a mum role, being a mum first and foremost, but playing the game I love as well, while having her on the sidelines is pretty special," she said.

"I think running out was a bit of a pinnacle of my career, I enjoyed every moment out there.

"It was pretty cool to wear those jerseys, I think when we first saw it, we probably didn't think too much into it. But to actually wear it, breathe and feel what it feels like to wear it and represent our mob and our culture is pretty cool and significant for not just me, but the club as well.”

Herman also highlighted Johnston-Green’s return as not only a special individual moment, but also a great occasion as the club welcomed Amarah into the Sharks family.

“She’s added something extra to our program and you know, our first Sharks baby, which we think is really exciting," Herman said.

"She’s got 27 aunties that dote over her, and training is different when you’re holding the baby and stuff like that, those sort of things, and Caitlan herself is a great person."