The fastest Ampol Women's State of Origin series ever has set the tone for an exciting 2026 NRLW season - and it's the work Ellie Johnston put in before Blues camp that has set her up for success.
The Sharks powerhouse went about her work with little fanfare throughout the series, but her teammates appreciated every bit of the enormous 320 metres gained across the three games, recognising just what has gone into her consistently outstanding performances.
"I had a few months off in our off-season, I just trained really hard just to get myself in the best position forward and I did that and I just worked really hard in the six-week (Blues pre-season training) block and, again, just concentrated on taking my game to another level and growing the game," Johnston said.
"I think for me personally I wanted to go up another level this year and our game grows every year and I want to grow with it so I want to be the best I can be.
"As a forward pack, we knew if we go forward, our team goes forward. We've got one of the best back lines so we need to do the tough stuff in the middle so our backs can score the tries out wide."
Maroons v Blues - Game III, 2026
Johnston said they key to success for the Blues in Game 3 and across the series was keeping calm in the pressure moments, a symptom of the competitiveness and experience of the players, who are now enjoying the rewards.
"Yeah, it's so exciting, everyone's on a high and we just want to celebrate what the last few weeks have been," she said.
"We went through a tough pre-season and now we've just won 3-0, so yeah, we're on a big high and we're celebrating."
One person the 25-year-old is particularly grateful for is coach John Strange, who trusted her with a State of Origin debut in 2025.
"Strangey, he's an amazing coach and I absolutely loved every minute being underneath him," Johnston said.
"He knows when to have fun and he knows when to be professional and I think that's huge for a coach.
"All of us, we play great footy under him and that just shows who he is as a person and who he is as a coach, so I've loved every minute being underneath him and I also learned so much as well."
From the field: Kezie Apps
The best thing about Origin in the rear-view mirror - no more watching a kick from Sharks teammate and Maroons adversary Chantay Kiria-Ratu go over her head in the wrong direction.
"Yeah, I'm excited for her to be on my team in NRLW in a few weeks. She's a talent and she's grown so much as a person and as a player," Johnston said.
"I think she's in for a really big year with the Sharkies. She's got one of the best boots in the game and I'm excited to see what's ahead for her."
Johnston said after a "harder and faster" Origin series, she was aiming to be a leader for her club and particularly her forward pack to support the players to lift and keep up with the evolving game.
Meakes wins Player of the Series
"I think for me just going back to Sharks and being a leader and leading our pack there, we've got a pretty strong side this year and we obviously want to win a premiership, so for me just being a leader and helping out forwards be the best they can," she said.
"As a player, the NRLW grows each year need to go up another level with it to stay with it, and the NRLW is going to be, everyone's going to be fitter and faster and stronger, so it will be up another level."
The Sharks kick off the NRLW season against the Knights at Ocean Protect Stadium on Thursday, July 2.
