{"id":181517,"date":"2025-03-05T08:58:19","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T22:58:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=181517"},"modified":"2025-03-05T08:58:20","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T22:58:20","slug":"aflw-draft-qa-maggie-johnstone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/03\/05\/aflw-draft-qa-maggie-johnstone\/","title":{"rendered":"AFLW Draft Q&A: Maggie Johnstone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

VERSATILE GWV Rebel Maggie Johnstone<\/a> showed her wares across all three lines last season, with the top-age talent eyeing off a more permanent midfield spot with a forward rotation in 2025. A member of the Victoria Country state hub, Johnstone is a great aerial player with a powerful kick and looms as a unique prospect for the 2025 AFLW Draft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to the South Warrnambool product at the recent Coates Talent League Girls Preseason Testing day about her football journey, game and goals for the year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LAST SEASON STATISTICS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Team<\/strong><\/td>Games<\/strong><\/td>Disposals<\/strong><\/td>Marks<\/strong><\/td>Cont. Marks<\/strong><\/td>Clearances<\/strong><\/td>Inside 50s<\/strong><\/td>Goals<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
GWV Rebels<\/td>11<\/td>12.5<\/td>2.8<\/td>0.9<\/td>1.1<\/td>2.0<\/td>6<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Q: Maggie, tell us a bit about your footy journey?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MJ:<\/strong> “I started playing when I was nine or 10 I believe. I started playing Under 12s boys footy up in Dennington back home. I played with them until I no longer could. I think it was Covid year, so I moved up to Under 18s girls when I was 14 or 15 at South Warrnambool, Been playing for them, went through V\/Line then Under 16s at Rebels and then was lucky enough to come up to the 18th team in my Under 16s year. Been at Rebels since.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How has preseason been? No injuries?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MJ:<\/strong> “All clear. Had a good preseason I think, set myself up well. It’s been fun with the girls.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: In terms of the position you’re looking to play this year, where do you reckon you’ll play?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MJ:<\/strong> “I think I’ll mainly be in the midfield hopefully with a forward rotation, but I’m happy to play anywhere Sal chucks me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Tell us about some of the strengths?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MJ:<\/strong> “Definitely my aerial. I’m a pretty good marking target to hit whether its up forward or down the ground, and kicking.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are you looking to improve on?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MJ:<\/strong> “I’d say get awareness around the ground, like positioning in the midfield I’ll definitely work on this year seeing as I haven’t had that much experience in the midfield, but positioning around the ground would be an improvement.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which AFL\/W club do you support?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MJ:<\/strong> “Carlton and Essendon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What’s the reason behind them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MJ:<\/strong> “My family supports Carlton, but I loved Scotty (Paige Scott<\/strong>) so I barrack for Essendon but might have to switch over to Richmond.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What goals have you set yourself this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MJ:<\/strong> “I’d love to make AFLW, that’s been a dream of mine for a long time. Go as far as I can, have fun with my footy, take it a day at a time.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Who’s had the most individual influence on your career?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MJ:<\/strong> “I’d say my mum and my dad equally, always supporting me through my footy journey.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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