DION Johnstone believes a return to his preferred position will help him make an impact at VFL level in 2019.
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The Port Melbourne recruit will slot into the Borough’s forward line after spending his final season on Melbourne’s AFL list playing in defence for its state league affiliate Casey Demons.
Johnstone, 20, was drafted via Hampden league club North Warrnambool Eagles as a pressure small forward.
He expects his energy in attack to help him consolidate his spot in Port Melbourne’s best 22.
“When I sat down and had my first chat to them they asked me where I think my best football is played and I believe it’s forward,” he said.
“I was lucky enough for them to allow me to go back down forward. I am pretty excited for it.”
Johnstone, along with former Fremantle and Gold Coast midfielder Michael Barlow, has named North Warrnambool Eagles as his feeder club.
He is unsure if he will line up for the Bushfield-based team.
“I’ll have to wait and see, it depends on how I am going and if the coach allows me to go back and play on a bye,” Johnstone said.
“While I am up here in Melbourne, my number one focus is with Port Melbourne but if something was to happen, like I was dropped or coming back from injury, then I would be putting 110 per cent into North Warrnambool if I am back there.
“The aim this year is to play VFL as much as a I can.”
Johnstone’s most recent appearance for the Eagles was the 2016 Hampden league grand final.
He was drafted three months later, going on to spend two seasons at Melbourne.
“They’ve always been good to me and supportive of my football career and knowing a lot of people there,” he said of North Warrnambool Eagles.
“I thought I’d give back for the support they’ve given me.”
Johnstone said Port Melbourne, with Gary Ayres at the helm, was the ideal club to reignite his AFL hopes.
He praised the Borough’s culture.
“Being a standalone club, they are one tight-knit group instead of being an affiliated club where you’ve got AFL players coming in and out,” Johnstone said.
“The mateship they’ve got down there,it’s like a football family.”
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Justine McCullagh-Beasy
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
