STRENGTHS:

+ Strength
+ Aerial ability
+ Kicking
+ Hurt factor
+ Contested work
+ One-on-ones
+ Upside

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Speed
- Defensive positioning

Johnstone is one of those players who has that aura about her when she steps out on the field. Even though she is not explosive, Johnstone's offensive hurt factor is enormous and opposition players have to be wary of what she is capable of when getting the games on her terms. A penetrating and lovely technical kick of the ball, Johnstone can provide highlights that very few players are capable of, such is her talent.

So strong out of the stoppages and when up forward, Johnstone is able to dictate the play when she positions herself in the best spots because of her frame and clean hands. Whether taking a contested grab in the air, or ripping the ball from an opponent at ground level, Johnstone is as clinical in one-on-ones as anyone else going around. Even just checking out her highlights, Johnstone has out-marked some of the best aerialists in the draft crop.

She regards her aerial ability as her number one strength, and it is easy to see why, but her kick is just as impactful if she is given any time and space. Given the penetration she gets on it, Johnstone will always inflict some kind of damage, but without pressure, she can spot up a target and nail a long-range pass with precison. A little less composed when under pressure, it is still a strength of hers, and combining aerial ability with kicking accuracy, and you have a midfielder/forward with plenty of hurt factor and upside.

While those two elements do not have a quantitive or scientific measurement, it is very easy to see that Johnstone has both, and in spades. She is the type of player who can win a game with 15 touches, so when she was getting between 20-25 and kicking a couple of goals, it was major danger signs for the opposition. She wins just over 50 per cent of her possessions in a contest, and is too strong and powerful for most which usually leads in transitioning from the inside to the outside.

Johnstone has always been so offensively strong, that she has not needed to be as defensively minded from a running perspective. Towards the backend of the year that ability to cover behind the ball and begin transitions rather than be on the end of them was clearly improving, but is a way that she can further develop. If she is goalside or forward of the ball then it is where she does her most damage, but can also ease the tension for defenders if she drops back with her booming kick.

The main improvement for Johnstone is improving her speed because while she can break free of contests, that is through her power and strength rather than an explosive action. The GWV Rebels talent can tend to get caught holding the ball a bit if teams are closely guarding her because she doesn't quite have that burst which can break away, but of course you need an opponent strong enough to still bring her down.

While these are areas that Johnstone can continue to improve, her impact forward of centre - and around the stoppages - is undeniable. Having had a breakout campaign which most importantly was consistent, the Rebels prospect looms as a top-end talent who will draw interest from most clubs. Given her high upside, she has plenty of potential to further improve.