Last year’s under-17 league best-and-fairest runner-up has slotted seamlessly into the Blues’ A-grade set-up and will play in her first top-grade grand final in Saturday’s Murray Netball League decider against Mulwala.
And for the talented wing defence, it will be a journey of redemption and belief.
Johnstone fell heartbreakingly short of a flag in last year’s overtime under-17 decider against Moama.
It will be a determined Johnstone who strides to the court on Saturday.
“Hopefully we can get a win,” she said.
“I’ve played in a few grand finals, so ultimately, the goal is to win. This will be my seventh in a row.
“It’s a mix of redemption and belief, anything can happen, and I think that 17s grand final showed that.”
The 18-year-old said she enjoyed the jump into full-time A-grade netball and was backing the tight-knit group to come away with a flag.
“It’s been a big challenge for me, but that’s what makes it good,” she said.
“I think just backing myself and going with my gut, playing my game has been important.
“It will be nervous, but if we back ourselves and stick to our structures, we should be okay.”