Former Port Adelaide player Aidyn Johnson joins Sturt from VFL to play SANFL in 2020
Eleventh-hour Sturt recruit Aidyn Johnson says he could not be the only player to jump from the VFL to Adelaide with the SANFL set to begin on June 27.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Eleventh-hour Sturt recruit Aidyn Johnson believes more VFL players could make the move across the border with the SANFL looking likely to get the green light before its Victorian counterpart.
The former Port Adelaide forward initially signed for Richmond’s VFL side after being delisted by the Power at the end of last season.
But when it was announced AFL reserves sides would not take part in state league competitions this year, Johnson quickly packed his bags and returned to SA last month to join the Double Blues.
The 22-year-old said he could not waste a year in his bid to get redrafted, with the SANFL’s June 27 start the best option.
“All I want to do is play footy and SA and the SANFL seemed the most likely place to resume soon,” Johnson said.
“I don’t see why more guys wouldn’t do it considering the SANFL looks very likely to go ahead and there’s not many cases in SA.
“I could definitely see that happening.”
The Bendigo Pioneers product was not offered another contract by Port after 11 AFL games across four seasons at the club.
Johnson also trained with the Sydney Swans in the lead up to November’s draft in the hope of securing a lifeline but was not picked up.
He then considered staying in Adelaide to play in the SANFL and spoke with Sturt before deciding to take an opportunity with the Tigers’ reserves in the VFL.
But Johnson said the Double Blues were the obvious choice to make sure he could play at state league level this year.
“I hadn’t even thought about it until one day and then two days later I was packing up all my stuff and moving back to Adelaide,” he said.
“It all happened pretty quick.
“So it was a bit of a no-brainer in the end. I want to play footy so got in touch with (Sturt coach) Nathan Grima and went from there.
“I spoke to Sturt when I was still considering the SANFL and I was close to staying then.
“I wanted to get started and come over straight away because I knew I would have to quarantine for two weeks.”
Johnson said his goal remained to be drafted and would play out the season at Peter Motley oval and then reassess his options for next year.
“That’s definitely still the goal,” he said.
“I’m feel I’m pretty young and think I can provide something at that level.
“I didn’t really want to be playing local or country footy in Victoria.”
patrick.keam@news.com.au