A special week for Caitlin Turnbull has been capped off by more good news, with Wests Tigers extending her contract for the next four seasons.
A day after the talented back returned from Port Moresby with a PM's XIII hat-trick in her kit bag, the Tigers announced she was locked in long-term at Concord.
“The atmosphere is phenomenal, and they all love the sport, so for them to get around us and how we played was unreal,” Turnbull said of her experiences in Papua New Guinea.
“To play for Australia, I have always dreamt of it and to come in with a great group of girls has been phenomenal, they make it so easy to mingle and connect.
“Could not have asked for a better group to do it with.
“Definitely did not expect to be playing for Australia, especially being my first ever season, my rookie season."
Match: PNG PM XIII v AUS PM XIII
Round 3 -
home Team
PNG PM XIII
away Team
AUS PM XIII
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
In her first season of NRLW, Turnbull debuted in Round 1 and was an instant standout, claiming her club’s rookie of the year honours as well as being named players’ player in their end of season awards.
While unable to claim her prize in person after her international call-up, Turnbull was looking forward to building on the strong performances of 2025 where she played 10 matches, scoring eight tries and running for 1296 metres.
She was also hoping to take what she experienced on tour into next season to help grow her team around her.
“We connected quite well, it obviously wasn't the season that we wanted, but every one of the girls are absolutely phenomenal and made my rookie season the best,” Turnbull said.
“I have re-signed with Tigers, so can’t wait to rip back in.
“We always talk about (the results this past year); the scorelines do not represent how the games actually were.
“The connection that we had; we knew that the person next to us was going to fight for each other.
“That’s what all the other teams said, we were one of the hardest teams to play, just because we always stay in it, we always fight for it.
“It was just those moments that we couldn't execute, so once we execute those, I think we are going to be unstoppable.
Caitlin Turnbull 3rd Try
“So I can’t wait to get back next season and get back with the girls and dig back in.
“I feel like I'm definitely going to take what I've learnt in this camp back into helping the girls and to try to help girls coming in and build on that next season.”
