Helping hand: Annabel Johnson is helped up by teammate Mikayla Bowen. Photo: AAP Image/Matt Turner
Geelong kick-started its AFLW finals series with a bang at the weekend, but there was an Echuca talent who spent watching the elimination final win against Essendon in the stands.
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Echuca product Annabel Johnson has endured another frustrating year on the park, playing one game this season before enduring a knee injury that had the 23-year-old forced into a lengthy rehabilitation period.
Johnson recorded 11 disposals and three marks in the round one clash against the Western Bulldogs before going down with the injury.
It comes after a foot fracture put a premature end to her 2022 campaign, where Johnson was recognised in the year’s 22 under 22 side.
But the highly-rated Cats defender has made good progress, returning to running last week.
And while she admits the recovery has been “slow,” Johnson is hopeful of playing a part in finals.
Finals time: Annabel Johnson’s Geelong faced Essendon in an elimination final on Sunday. Photo: AAP Image/Rob Prezioso
“It’s been a bit of a slow build,” Johnson said before the Cats’ elimination final win.
“I’ve just been rehabilitating for the last nine weeks to strengthen the quad and start running, and now I’m slowly building back into it.
“It’s been a bit of a frustrating one and no good with only 10 games.
“Who knows, hopefully, if they play deep into finals, I could make a return, but it will be interesting.”
While she is doing everything she can to get herself game-ready, Johnson had been enjoying the energy in the group as it prepared to tackle the Bombers.
“The girls are pretty pumped. It’s a nice vibe in the group, and we’re feeling quite connected,” she said.
“Last year was the first time we played a final in a while, so it’s nice to make consecutive finals appearances.
Spending time off the field can be a frustrating experience. Still, it’s resulted in a learning experience for Johnson, spending more time in the coach’s box while maintaining a robust off-field presence.
“There’s a couple of the defenders I still like to warm up with, we do a bit of a marking routine, so I go and help the girls there,” she said.
“I’ve actually been sitting in the coach’s box, so that’s been good. I’ve been learning a bit from that and doing a bit of work with our defensive coach and seeing what she does.”
After bowing out to North Melbourne by two points in finals last season, Geelong finished sixth this season, scraping through to finals with six wins and four losses.
Geelong now progresses to the upcoming semi-final against Melbourne, with the hunt for premiership glory well and truly on for the Cats and Johnson.
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