Powerhouse prop Ellie Johnston has committed to the Sharks until the end of 2026 after signing a two-year NRLW extension on Monday.
The 23-year-old was already under contract at Cronulla for the upcoming season, with head coach Tony Herman and his staff eager to lock her down long-term.
Johnston had the distinction of being the leading Sharks try-scorer in the club's inaugural NRLW campaign, crossing the stripe six times in nine matches in 2023.
Coach Herman said: "Ellie is an important re-signing for us as we solidify our squad for the future.
"She has built a cult following here in the Shire on the back of highlights like a runaway try against the Raiders and a 20-metre spiral pass to set up a try against the Eels.
"We are delighted to have her as a key part of our team."
Johnston, who hails from Taree on the NSW mid-north coast, is stoked with the new deal.
"I'm really excited. I love the girls and the area," she said.
"I'm not a Sydney girl, so the Shire really feels like a second home to me. That was a massive tick in the box for me to come back and sign for a few more years.
"I love Tony as a coach and I felt like he helped me play really well last year. That was a big factor in re-signing. He's opened up a lot of opportunities for me."
The front-rower is on the cusp of representative football, having been selected as NSW's 18th player for the opening women's State of Origin match last year. Under Herman's guidance, she hopes to press for a Sky Blues jersey in 2024.
After making her NRLW debut in 2020, Johnston has produced career-high numbers for the Sharks.
She averaged 123 running metres per game and had an impressive tackle efficiency rate of 98.3% with just three misses all year.
