Timboon Demons coach: 'No asterisk next to 2020 AFL premiership'

The season restarts on Thursday night with Collingwood hosting Richmond at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

There's been a plenty of talk this year's premiership will have an asterisk next to it because of the COVID-19 interrupted season.

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But Johnston, a Warrnambool and District league mentor, isn't having a bar of it.

"No, I definitely disagree with that," he said.

"The joy of winning a premiership is not the grand final day.

"It starts all the way back in November in pre-season and you've got to go through all the rounds.

"This year you've got more hurdles than any to jump over.

"The teams that will be able to prepare the best, that have done the work during the break, will be the ones that come to fruition at the end of the year.

"I don't think it's tainted at all, it's only five games different."

Johnston believes limited crowds may even up the competition.

"Crowds, they don't make a massive difference on the on-field performance, I believe," he said.

"It probably evens it out a little bit without the crowds."

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Crowds have been the big talking point this week.

A total of 2000 - club members and Adelaide Oval members - will be allowed to attend the Port Adelaide versus Adelaide Showdown on Saturday night.

Another 240 corporate clients will be allowed in private boxes.

Greater Western Sydney is expecting to host 350 members and corporates when they play North Melbourne.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Swans gained approval to host 350 fans when they face Essendon.

Johnston is supportive of crowds being allowed at AFL games.

"I'd love to see crowds back, it's a big space the footy oval," he said.

"You can still put in a fair few checks and balances to at least get upwards of 5000-10,000 people there which will make for a bit more atmosphere.

"I've got a view of go with the flow, if they say you can go then it should be all good."

Timboons Demons returned to training last Thursday.

"We did a trial run just with 10 people, with all the protocols to see how it all worked," Johnston said.

The Dees also hit the track on Tuesday night.

The WDFNL will make a decision on season 2020 at a league meeting on June 24.

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