State: Victoria Country
State League Club: GWV Rebels
Community Club: South Warrnambool
Date of Birth: 06/06/2007
Height: 171cm
Weapons: Step through traffic and kicking penetration
AFLW player comparison: Kaitlyn Srhoj (GWS Giants)
Player ranking points (U18 National Champs): 105.7 points per gameMidfielder with a touch of class with her lateral movement and ball use, Johnstone starred in Victoria Countryâs win over the Allies at the National Championships and was also among her teamâs best against South Australia. She averaged 15.3 disposals, 2.8 clearances and three tackles across the Championships to earn All Australian honours. A creative type, she was a very consistent performer for the GWV Rebels at club level, averaging 21 disposals (11 contested) and 4.4 tackles to win her teamâs best and fairest award and also be selected in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year.
Itâs annoying that this thread ranks second on Google when you search on her name 
⌠and that nobody has archived the paywalled articles from Warrnambool papers.
Thatâs an impressive highlight package.
Welcome, Maggie.
Looks like a footballer and her skills are good
Welcome Maggie
Put her in the middle Maddy and Nanscawen need help
Actually judging by her highlights Iâd have her on the outside kicking the ball inside 50 or marking it forward of centre. I think her ball use is what seems to stand out to me from that video.
The rest of the text not shown in the graphic in the first post:
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 doesnât 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.
What are we going to do about getting another forward to help out Bonnie?
Johnstone + Belloni + Gough to rotate forward and mid, and kick 30 goals between them.
Solved.
Playing football against boys when she was younger, Maggie Johnstone pictured herself one day taking on the men in the AFL.
Itâs completely understandable. The South Warrnambool and Dennington product was beating the boys and was unaware the first national elite womenâs competition was in the midst of starting.
The AFLW came along in 2017 and showed the youngster, then just 11, a pathway to the highest level for females.
Maggie Johnstone is hoping to be selected at the 2025 AFLW Draft. Picture by Will Stanley
Reaching that level has long been a goal for Johnstone and on Monday, December 15, that dream could come true.
The 18-year-old is a very strong chance to be selected in the 2025 AFLW draft and is considered a first round prospect off the back of a dominant season for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels and Vic Country.
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âItâs obviously a little bit nerve-racking but Iâm super excited,â Johnstone told The Standard.
âEven if I donât go, Iâm super happy for all the other girls and all my other mates that might go. Iâm just looking forward to the night really, itâs going to be pretty fun.â
Johnstoneâs 2025 season was a memorable one, brimming with accolades.
The tough 171-centimetre on-baller who can play forward and hit the scoreboard, co-captained the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in the Coates Talent League and averaged 21 disposals and kicked 13 goals from 13 games.
The Member for Goyder watched in disbelief on his pet camera as he saw a bull and a horse make their way in from the farm via a sliding backdoor that had been left open by the memberâs pet dogs. This video includes ACM-produced voiceover powered by AI.
The teen, who boasts a penetrating kick and superb aerial skills, won the Rebels best and fairest, was runner-up in the leagueâs top award and was named in the team-of-the-year on the half-forward flank.
She also represented Vic Country in all four games at the under-18 national championships, featuring in the best players twice and earning All-Australian selection.
Johnstoneâs bottom-age year was impressive but she took her game to another level in 2025.
âSort of being another year older (helped) and I think I did definitely put my head down over the off-season,â she said.
"And especially in the back end of my bottom age year it all started to come together for me and I realised that I could actually take this all the way if I really wanted to.
Maggie Johnstone enjoyed a standout year for the Rebels and Vic Country. Picture by Will Stanley
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"So I put my head down and worked really hard and worked on what I needed to work on and also improved my strengths. And I sought extra help from the Rebels and all the staff over there.
âI just worked on my weaknesses and refined strengths and I think I pushed myself that little bit harder because I had that motivation, (knowledge) I could do this and I think it all really paid off this year.â
Rebels coach Sally Riley said Johnstoneâs consistency went to new heights in 2025, saying the teenager âdidnât have a bad game all yearâ.
Maggie Johnstone tries to break a tackle for GWV Rebels in 2025. Picture by Kate Healy
Riley, an AFLW premiership player with Adelaide, noticed the necessary change in Johnstoneâs belief.
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âWhat changed, is it became a reality (for her) - this could potentially be real,â she said.
"Maggie undersells herself a lot and weâve spoken before that she didnât have the belief that she should have.
"And Iâll never forget telling her (12 months ago) that âMaggie, your mindset is honestly going to make or break you. So you need to sort it quick smart or you wonât be a chance of getting draftedâ.
âSometimes a bit of tough love from her support network, I suppose, motivated her but sheâs put herself in a really good position for her dream to come true hopefully.â
Riley, who handed a 15-year-old Johnstone her under-18 Rebels debut in 2023, said the the club was already missing her presence.
âBecause of how coachable she is, committed, seeks the feedback and is a real leader around the group,â she said.
âEverywhere you get these players where you wish you could keep them forever purely because they make others better around them. Maggieâs been outstanding to coach and wherever she ends up, the club are pretty lucky.â
Riley anticipates Johnstone will âthriveâ in a professional environment given the opportunity.
âIt will be a huge step up initially and quite the challenge,â she said.
"Whether itâs relocating, it might be interstate or living in Melbourne, it will be a huge change for Mags. But she was born to play at that next level where sheâs really challenged and sheâll come into it quite well where she can play a pretty consistent role at that next level if a club gives her a chance.
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âSheâll love the environment, the training standards and I suppose the expectations, just because sheâs already done that at such a high level at juniors.â
Johnstoneâs footy journey began when she was eight in Warrnambool and District league club Denningtonâs Auskick program.
Maggie Johnstone and South Warrnambool teammate Olivia Wolter after winning best-on-ground medals in the Roostersâ 2024 under-18 grand final win. File picture
She took up the sport because she looked up to older brother Darcy, who was lining up for the Dogs - the same club her dad also played with.
From there, she progressed to the under-12 side and stayed there until she could no longer play alongside the boys.
She then joined South Warrnamboolâs girlsâ program where she was thrust straight into its successful under-18 Western Victoria Female league team.
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âThat was a huge jump, starting at 14 in the under-18 girlsâ,â she said.
âIt was awesome working against the bigger bodies and learning off them and all the mature girls up there.â
Johnstone, who boarded at Ballarat Grammar for her final two years of school in 2024 and 2025, is extremely appreciative of her parents, Leigh and Jeanna, for their support in chasing her football dreams.
She is grateful for all the time they have spent travelling, taking her to games and training sessions, as well as their ability to help keep her motivated.
Spending a lot of her time in Ballarat, Johnstone lists Riley, Rebels boysâ coach Eamon Gill and the clubâs talent operationâs lead Brooke Brown as some of her biggest mentors.
âBrooke Brown and Sally Riley from the Rebels, theyâve been awesome for me over my journey with them over the past four years but also Eamon Gill,â she said.
"Heâs in the boyâs program but he lived in my boarding house. His wife (Emma) is my head of house, so basically my second mum down in Ballarat and he was my second dad.
âHeâs been awesome, we went for kicks and that sort of stuff at the school oval in the morning. He always had advice for me, doing vision and that sort of stuff, all those little extras that really help over the years.â
The 2025 AFLW Draft gets under way at 7pm on Monday from Marvel Stadium.
Johnstone, whose older sister Alyssa was previously on Geelongâs VFLW list, said it would âmean the worldâ to hear her name called.
Maggie Johnstone was pondering how sheâd spend the day leading into the AFLW draft before finding herself jumping in a car to Melbourne.
The South Warrnambool export received a late call-up to attend a special function at Marvel Stadium with some of Australiaâs best junior footballers on Monday, December 15.
The 18-year-old midfielder joined Essendon with pick 10, much to the delight of her Bombers-supporting father Leigh and brother Darcy.
Maggie Johnstone in her new AFLW colours after joining Essendon. Picture by Getty Images
âIt was a blur. I had one last interview with a club in the morning and I was just laying in bed, trying to wait the day away and I was about to start inviting some mates over,â Johnstone told The Standard.
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"Then I got the call about 10 oâclock in the morning and mum (Jeanna) came into the room and was like âpack your bags, weâve got to goâ.
âIt was pretty exciting and it was kind of a blessing in disguise. I didnât have any time to stress over it.â
Johnstone had spoken to Essendon multiple times throughout the season but was unsure if it would take her in the draft but being selected âwas a dream come trueâ.
âThey kept booking me in, so I was aware of the interest but I didnât have much contact since the draft combine, so it was definitely a surprise to me, a pleasant one obviously,â she said.
"I am super grateful they have decided to choose me. My dad and my brother go for the Bombers.
South Warrnamboolâs Maggie Johnstone receives her Essendon guernsey from experienced Bomber Steph Cain. Picture by AAP
"They were so surprised. I surprised my dad because Iâd got a call from my manager who had got off the phone from Essendon and they seemed really keen that theyâd potentially choose me.
"I told mum and said âdonât tell dad, weâll see his reaction if it happensâ. It was awesome to see him get so excited.
âIt means so much to him; heâs a pretty passionate Bombers supporter so hopefully I can do him proud.â
The midfielder-forwardâs selection came off the back of a dominant top-age campaign for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels and Victoria Country. She will be coached by a south-west export Natalie Wood in 2026.
Johnstone, who followed Carlton in the AFL and was more player-focused when it came to AFLW, said she was excited to team up with Wood at The Hangar.
âIt is a funny story. When I was at Warrnambool College, she came to do a little guest speaking thing and she asked âdid anyone in the room play Coates Talent League?â and I put my hand up,â she said.
âI was absolutely star-struck and thought she was really cool. I am stoked to play under her and have her as my coach. Hopefully I can learn a lot off her.â
Watch: South-west trio Annabelle Glossop, Maggie Johnstone and Olivia Wolter speak about Coates Talent League game in Warrnambool
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Johnstone, who is excited to learn from her new teammates and aim for a round one debut, and her family will visit The Hangar on Wednesday, December 17.
âI am heading over to meet the girls and get a little tour of the place and do a lunch with the family and other draftee Nalu (Brothwell),â she said.
"We did a couple of Vic Country camps there, so I know The Hangar quite a bit but it will be really cool to get an in-depth tour.
"Unofficial pre-season starts mid-Feb, so itâs some optional sessions, and by March theyâre fully into it.
"I think I will try and move down to Melbourne as early as I can and settle in and find my feet.
âI will probably move down when the optional pre-season sessions start, so I can get to know the girls.â
Captaining the Rebels in the Coates Talent League, the teenager earned team-of-the-year honours after averaging 21 disposals and kicking 13 goals from 13 games.
She won the Rebelsâ best and fairest and finished runner-up in the leagueâs top individual award.
She also represented Vic Country at the national championships, going on to earn All-Australian selection after being named in her sideâs best players twice from four games.
Johnstone is the sixth south-west export to reach the AFLW, alongside Cavendishâs Emma Kearney (Western Bulldogs/North Melbourne), Garvocâs Maria Moloney (Brisbane/Port Adelaide), Branxholmeâs Georgia Clarke(Geelong/Essendon), South Warrnamboolâs Renee Saulitis (St Kilda) and Penshurstâs Jess Rentsch (West Coast).
Your wish is my command, oh master!
I just had to read the article to see if I could find mention of Scarlett OâDonnell, and she is indeed vice-captain of the Rebels. Sheâs a very talented cricketer too, playing for Hawkesdale.
She took 4/15, 2 catches and 17 retired on Sunday against North Warrnambool. Theyâre a good bunch, Hawkesdale. Only chasing a small score so retired to give others a bat.
And the Scarlett name is appropriate. Bright red hair.
By Dylan Bolch
Dec 17, 2025, 6:00 am
THE PRESSURE of pursuing a football career at the top level can be a lot.
For new Bomber Maggie Johnstone, who was selected with pick No.10 in the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft, learning how to deal with pressure, both internal and external, proved the catalyst for her outstanding campaign.
A product out of the GWV Rebels, Johnstone is a strong midfielder/forward with an elite kick and aerial ability. She doesnât put up enormous numbers like some of the others in her draft class, but make no mistake, when she gets the ball, good things happen.
By her own admission, the Vic Country star was plagued by pressure in her bottom-age season. For many young girls and boys around the country, theyâre so determined to turn their dreams into reality that their footy careers become all-encompassing and it eventually becomes too much.
So, after feeling as though the pressure was getting pretty intense in her bottom-age season, Johnstone decided to try and find a way to ensure she could make the most of her draft year.
âMy performance was hindered in my bottom-aged years by the pressure I put on myself. I think coming into my top-age year, I tried to take that off me and work on having fun. I think I play my best footy when Iâm having fun, so I tried to really focus on that. I think it really worked out for me and I was able to perform at my best,â Johnstone told AFL.com.au.
"I think dealing with pressure, youâve got to deal with it in a way where you donât feel it and you can take it off yourself. I think thatâs when you can unlock your new potential and reach new heights.â
So, the 171cm gamebreaker called upon her support network. GWV Rebels staffers Sally Riley and Brooke Brown were huge influences, as were Johnstoneâs family and friends.
âTheyâve been huge for me. Theyâve created a safe space for me to go to and talk to ⌠all my support system back home, my family and friends have always been super,â Johnstone said.
"I trained a lot physically, but youâve got to train mentally as well. I sought out some help and psychologists to help me build up my toolbox and work with the stresses of footy. I think that really helped me, I trained that over a long time and it became a habit.â
It proved somewhat of a turning point for Johnstone, who was able to produce her best footy when it mattered.
And now the nature-loving youngster will make the journey from Warrnambool to the Bombers. Johnstone wasnât initially on the AFLâs list of invites for draft night, but some late interest saw her receive the call to attend the event in person.
âIt was awesome, it was such a cool experience. To get the late call-up and be there on the night was so cool, Iâm super excited,â she said.
"I started chilling at home getting ready for my friends to come over and then at about 10am we got the call and started packing our bags and were on the road.â
A tenacious player who loves to fly for the footy, Johnstone is as competitive as they come and clean with ball in hand.
Johnstone had had several chats with the Bombers throughout 2025, but hadnât heard from them since the Draft Combine back in October.
âIt was definitely a little bit of a surprise to hear my name called out by them, but nonetheless a very pleasant surprise,â she said.
The Dons also selected fellow Vic Country star and close friend Nalu Brothwell with their other pick, bringing two of the countryâs biggest talents to The Hangar together. Videos posted by the club during the night showed the sheer joy and emotion on Johnstoneâs face when she realised sheâd be continuing her footy journey alongside one of her best mates.
âItâs such a good feeling, I was ecstatic when I saw her name get called out. Iâm super excited to do it with a friend and someone I know, Iâm keen to crack in with her,â Johnstone said.
And now itâs time to do exactly that. Johnstone plans on continuing to work at Frost Bite Ice Cream Warrnambool over summer, but is keen to hit the track over pre-season and earn the respect of her new teammates.
âItâs a huge jump (going from under-18s to AFLW), but with a pre-season under my belt and getting to know the girls and really working hard over this break, I think I could crack in and make a real impact,â she said.
âIâm excited to play with Bonnie Toogood. Sheâs been an idol of mine for a long time⌠Iâm super excited to work with her and players like Maddy Prespakis as well.â
