Geelong will dive head-first into the 2023 AFLW finals series when the Cats face rivals Essendon in a do-or-die clash at GMHBA Stadium this Sunday.
And behind the scenes, one of the club’s most impressive young talents is in a race against the clock to play a part in the Cats campaign.
Echuca product Annabel Johnson has endured another frustrating year on the park, playing just one game this season before enduring a knee injury that has seen 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.
“It’s been a bit of a slow build,” she said.
“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 has been enjoying the energy in the group as it prepares to tackle the Bombers, who the Cats lost to by 10 points in their only clash of the season.
She identified Essendon’s contested ball ability as something the Cats will need to quell in Sunday’s game, as well as one player who could tear the game apart for Geelong.
“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.
“We have a bit of a rivalry against Essendon. We’ve played them a couple of times over the last two seasons, so it should be a good game.
“I think it all starts in the contest. (The Bombers) are obviously a very good physical and contested team, so we like to use the ball on the outside. It starts with winning that hard ball.
“One I’m excited to watch is Aishling Moloney, our Irish forward. She’s also dangerous on the ball, so she could do anything.”
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.
An elimination final victory this week will see Geelong progress to next week’s semi-final against the loser of Melbourne and the Roos, with the hunt for premiership glory well and truly on for the Cats and Johnson.