Ben Gilby continues his series profiling our Glory A-League Women’s squad with a feature on Perth local Grace Johnston…
Perth Glory’s Young Matildas midfielder/defender Grace Johnston has hit the ground running already this season, making a superb comeback from a heartbreaking ankle injury earlier this year.
Johnston was flying in her debut A-League Women campaign for her home town club in 2023/24, putting together a series of displays that suggested she was a seasoned pro rather than someone taking their first steps in the country’s biggest league.
Having been an integral member of the Hyundai NTC side, with whom she won the State Cup and played NPLW WA Finals football in successive seasons, Johnston stepped up at the start of last season in a hugely impressive way.
“I think the biggest adjustment was the speed of the game,” reflected the 19-year-old.
“With better and more experienced players and coaches it’s only natural for the game to be faster and more challenging.
“Being able to prep and train with the team in pre-season made that adjustment much easier.”
Johnston’s eye-catching performances were rewarded with a call up to the Young Matildas side last November for their matches against China.
Just three months later, however, she suffered a devastating syndesmosis injury in her ankle that ended her season.
“Physically, after my surgery, the first couple of weeks were the most difficult as I couldn’t make any progress,” she said.
“Once I got the green light to start physio exercises and could see and feel changes and improvements, it was an easier process.
“Mentally, obviously it was disappointing to end my season in that way, but I tried to not dwell on that fact and started looking towards the next one.”
As part of her preparation for her second ALW season, she returned to the NPLW WA with Perth SC, coached by former Matilda Danielle Brogan.
Johnston was part of an Azzurri side that won their first State Cup and made the Top Four Cup Final.
“That was an excellent experience,” she said.
“I can’t thank Danielle and the club enough for allowing me to complete my rehab and return to play with them and being a part of a Cup-winning team and Top Four finalists with such a great group of girls was brilliant.”
That group of girls at the Dorrien Gardens-based club included several others who have gone on to become part of the Glory squad this season, namely Johnston’s fellow midfielders Georgia Cassidy, Tijan McKenna and Charli Wainwright, along with striker Ella Lincoln.
That familiarity helped the settling in process for the Glory playing group ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, a particularly important factor given the large number of new faces in the squad.
“Obviously with some of the Perth girls it was a quicker adjustment period, purely because we’ve known each other for so long and all played together,” said Johnston.
“But I think pre-season really facilitated the whole team to bond on and off the field, which was great.”
That pre-season period also included the arrival of new Head Coach Stephen Peters with new systems and styles to learn.
It is an environment that Johnston believes is allowing her to thrive.
“I think his knowledge of the game is next to none, which he proved with his NPLW NSW side [Macarthur Rams] being so successful,” she said.
“He’s given me a lot of confidence and allows me to express myself on the pitch, while also adhering to the game plan and his vision, which I have been enjoying.”
Whilst it is still relatively early days in the season, there have been a number of pleasing elements on view already.
As the new players and system come together, Johnston is sure that there are good times ahead for the team and its supporters.
“I think we can take a lot of positives from our early games,” sh said.
“It takes a lot for a new side to gel so quickly in such a short time-frame and I believe we have done that.
“There are definitely things we need to work on, but I think that comes with time and the constant desire for the whole team to improve.”
In terms of what needs to happen to ensure that the team have a good campaign, meanwhile, Johnston is clear.
“Consistent high quality performances.”
The versatile Perth local is certainly doing everything she can to embody this objective.
(Main picture courtesy of Chris Andrawes)
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