Lucy Johnson loves to get forward.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder does not mind whether that means delivering a ball in behind for her strikers or punishing the opposition defence with a goal of her own.
Cohesiveness and ruthlessness in the final third was at times lacking for the Newcastle Jets last campaign, which cost them in games.
With that in mind, Jets coach Ash Wilson has added more firepower and attacking flair in assembling a roster to push for finals.
"Lucy is an exciting talent," Wilson told the Newcastle Herald.
"She has been in Victoria playing in their NPLW and has impressed me at training. She's quite mobile. She likes to attack.
"Technically, she's very calm on the ball."
The attacking midfielder with an eye for goal has settled into the Jets environment quickly and is determined to make the most of her debut season as an A-League Women's player.
Playing in the national league has been a goal for some time.
"Since I was a little kid, I've always looked up to all of the players like Sam Kerr and Melissa Barbieri back then," Johnson said.
"Even playing with Bubs [Barbieri] in NPL, it has been something I've always been working towards and having people around me like that has been helpful."
Johnson has been playing for South Melbourne in Victorian NPLW and was "pretty keen" to take up the Jets' offer when Wilson contacted her.
"I've moved around a bit through my life and thought, 'Why not go to Newcastle, it will be a good experience. I don't know anyone here, so it will challenge me to be a better player and person in general.'," Johnson said.
Being ready to start her A-League career during what seemed like never-ending lockdowns and restrictions in Victoria was not easy.
But Johnson has been pleasantly surprised with how she is tracking midway through pre-season.
"It's been really hard during the lockdowns because obviously motivation is not really there, so it was a bit tough," she said.
"But I did Bakes' [Jets strength and conditioning coach Anthony McDonald] running program and that kept me pretty fit leading up to this pre-season.
"It's been really good. It's nice and challenging playing with a strong group here and getting into the squad and playing on a weekly basis would be awesome."
Related content:
- Meet the Jets: Discover what Cassidy Davis does off the field
- Meet the Jets: Claire Coelho, not just a goalkeeper
- Meet Hannah Brewer: She wanted to play rugby league
- Meet the Jets: Sunny Franco, strike weapon and fridge mechanic
Wilson wants her team to be "forward-thinking" and to play an attacking style.
That sits well with Johnson.
"I think I can bring a lot of attacking play," she said.
"I love to play an attacking brand of football and playing those through balls and scoring is definitely what I've always done throughout my playing career, so I'm just wanting to score goals and assist.
"I'm pretty keen to see what I can do and hopefully I get that opportunity to get some minutes on the ground and to show what I can do."
Early signs have been promising.
The Jets had a hit-out against a 16-years boys' team last weekend and play Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney on Saturday.
"It was definitely tough because the boys are pretty speedy, but there were good signs in what we were doing," Johnson said.
"I think if we can bring that out against the girls that we're playing this weekend then we're looking pretty good."
The Jets play Sydney at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on December 4 in their season-opener.
Their first home game is against newcomers Wellington at McDonald Jones Stadium on December 10.
