State of Origin 2024: Caitlan Johnston silences online trolls with heroic performance for NSW Sky Blues

NSW Sky Blues enforcer Caitlan Johnston sent her cruel online trolls a powerful message in State of Origin game one, with a record television audience on hand to witness her deliver it.

Sky Blues star Caitlan Johnston made a great start to the Origin series. NRL Imagery

Caitlan Johnston sent a powerful message to online trolls in Thursday night’s State of Origin victory and the NSW Sky Blues enforcer did it in front of a record television audience.

Johnston was a dominant force for NSW at Suncorp Stadium in game one, stamping her authority on the match with a barnstorming performance that included 92 metres, six tackle busts, two line breaks – one of which laid on a try for fullback Emma Tonegato in the first half – and a decisive try to seal victory for her state.

That moment, in particular, flipped the script for Johnston, who had been the victim of horrendous online trolling filled with body shaming comments targeting her physique.

For Johnston, the moment and her overall performance, was the perfect response to silence the online vitriol.

Sky Blues star Caitlan Johnston made a great start to the Origin series. NRL Imagery

“I’m not too concerned about it but I did prove out there why I deserve to be in the position that I’m in,” Johnston said.

“I don’t read too much of the comments so things like that, that are very negative towards females, we are going to cop it no matter what.

“At the end of the day, with the comments, you have people behind screens that are like that.”

Caitlan Johnston lit up Suncorp in #Origin Game I 🤩 pic.twitter.com/g4JJVmMAdZ

— NRLW (@NRLWomens) May 17, 2024

Two weeks ago, Cronulla announced Johnston would be joining the club in 2025 and rather than celebrate the signing coup of the two-time NRLW premiership winner, trolls targeted the Jillaroos star questioning her fitness and athleticism despite being one of the most powerful players in the women’s game.

Johnston said those trolling female athletes, should reserve making a judgement unless they have taken the time to watch a women’s rugby league game and experienced the level of skill on show.

Johnston silenced her online trolls with an incredible performance, including a try, try assist, 9 runs for 92m, 14 tackles, ix tackle busts and two line breaks. Picture: NRL Imagery

“Most of the people who made those comments have probably never watched a women’s game,” Johnston said.

“They can have their opinions all they like but until you have sat there and watched a women’s game I think you can’t really judge it on a female level either.”

In a silver lining for players like Johnston, Thursday night’s Origin clash proved there will always be more support in front of TV screens than the minority behind computer screens that spew hateful comments at female athletes.

Game one of the first ever three-game series broke all TV ratings records for women’s Origin with almost one million people tuning in to watch NSW take down Queensland 22-12 at Suncorp Stadium.

Channel 9’s coverage drew in a total national audience of 941,000 viewers with a national total TV reach of almost two million people.

“Women’s Origin was very successful last night, the ratings were up 40 per cent year on year. It was the biggest audience we’ve ever had for a women’s game,” ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys revealed on Friday.

Jaime Chapman’s breakaway 80-metre solo try was another standout moment for the NSW Sky Blues. Picture: Getty Images

“It nearly hit a million viewers, it’s remarkable for how far the women’s game has come. It is just reward for those ladies because their ability and skill is just unbelievable.”

Johnston wasn’t the only Sky Blue to own a show stopping moment at Suncorp Stadium.

Winger Jaime Chapman produced a brilliant 80-metre individual effort that will feature on highlight reels for years to come.

“When I see space, I just want to run for it. I saw the space and I decided to step outside of Vani (Evania Pelite) and it worked out for me. I just kept running,” Chapman said.

“I’m so lanky, I have the longest legs, it (goose step) doesn’t really work but I guess it did so yeah, might do it again.”

Originally published as State of Origin 2024: Caitlan Johnston silences online trolls with heroic performance for NSW Sky Blues