Former NRL player Cooper Johns has entered an exciting new chapter away from football, with AFLW standout Poppy Boltz confirming the pair are officially a couple.
The relationship was revealed in a light-hearted social media post that quickly caught the attention of sports fans across Australia.
Social media post confirms the happy news
Boltz, 25, shared a photo of herself alongside Johns on Instagram, marking the first time the pair had publicly acknowledged their relationship.
Adding a playful caption to the post, she referred to the former rugby league star as “my man,” delighting followers who had not previously linked the two athletes.
Johns, 26, soon embraced the announcement himself, reposting the image to his own Instagram Story with the words “hard launch”—a popular phrase used to describe making a relationship public online.
The exchange left little doubt that the pair were ready to share their romance with the world.
Fans celebrate the unexpected sporting couple
It didn’t take long for supporters to flood the comments section with messages of congratulations.
Many joked about the crossover between two of Australia’s biggest football codes, while others praised Johns for finding happiness after stepping away from professional rugby league.
Some fans humorously suggested it was the perfect meeting of the NRL and AFLW, while others couldn’t resist teasing the former halfback about his good fortune.
The announcement quickly became a talking point among followers of both sports.
A new chapter after life in the NRL
Johns retired from professional rugby league at the beginning of 2024 after making 19 appearances across the NRL with the Melbourne Storm and Manly Sea Eagles.
Although his playing career ended earlier than many expected, he has remained firmly in the public eye through a successful transition into sports media.
Following retirement, Johns became a familiar voice on radio and television, including a stint with The Kyle & Jackie O Show before the program’s sports segment concluded.
He now features as part of 2GB’s Continuous Call Team, where he works as both a panel member and sideline commentator covering NRL matches.
Poppy Boltz embraces a fresh start of her own
While Johns has been building his broadcasting career, Boltz is preparing for an exciting new challenge on the football field.
Widely regarded as one of the AFLW’s emerging talents, she recently secured a move to the GWS Giants after spending the past three seasons with the Brisbane Lions.
Her switch marks the beginning of another important chapter in her football journey, with expectations high for what she can achieve in Giants colours.
Two careers, one exciting future
With one making headlines in sports broadcasting and the other preparing for a new AFLW campaign, Cooper Johns and Poppy Boltz are entering an exciting period both professionally and personally.
Their relationship may have only just become public, but judging by the reaction from fans, the sporting couple are already attracting plenty of attention as they begin this new chapter together.
