LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The NSW Blues Women's squad for Game One of the 2025 State of Origin series has been announced, featuring four debutants and several returning players.
The team, coached by John Strange, includes newcomers Abbi Church, Jayme Fressard, Ellie Johnston, and Jocelyn Kelleher.
Returning players Kennedy Cherrington, Shaylee Bent, Jesse Southwell, and Kirra Dibb will also be part of the squad.
Isabelle Kelly will captain the team, with Tiana Penitani Gray as vice-captain.
The squad consists of 11 players from the 2024 team that lost to Queensland and nine Jillaroos who recently beat England.
The announcement was made at a special function at the Sydney Opera House, with the team starting their week-long camp at Sydney Olympic Park in preparation for the game on May 1 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
According to newcastleknights.com.au, "Westpac NSW Blues Women's coach John Strange has named four debutants in his 20-player squad to face Queensland for Game One of the 2025 State of Origin series on Thursday 1 May at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane." The four new faces in the squad are Abbi Church, Jayme Fressard, Ellie Johnston, and Jocelyn Kelleher.
"The team will be captained by Isabelle Kelly with Tiana Penitani Gray named as vice-captain." Additionally, "The squad includes 11 players from the 2024 Westpac NSW Blues Women's side, which lost the series 2-1 to the Maroons, and nine Jillaroos from the team that beat England in Las Vegas in February." The announcement of the squad was made by NSWRL Chair Carolyn Campbell at the Sydney Opera House, where the players and their families gathered for a special function.