Port Adelaide novice Aidyn Johnson thriving on the pressure test in Power attack
SOME AFL forwards love to kick goals to annoy their opponents, but not all — some prefer to embarrass defenders on turnovers. Meet Port Adelaide’s Aidyn Johnson.
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AIDYN Johnson labels his role in the Port Adelaide football team as a “defensive forward”.
It is another sign of how much Australian football has changed with forwards compelled to defend and defenders primed to attack.
Johnson, 20, takes more delight in tormenting a defender by closing his exit from the Power’s forward-50 zone or creating a turnover that creates opportunity for Sam Gray, Chad Wingard or Steven Motlop than scoring from his own boot.
Johnson has kicked three goals in his six AFL games ... and put on 22 tackles. He does not hide from where his real pleasure comes.
“And the boys love it when we’re holding the ball in the (forward) area ... it is a good feeling,” said Johnson.
“My game is based on forward pressure — once the ball is in there, lock it in; tackle and harass defenders. All the other stuff comes off my pressure.”
Johnson, a third-round draftee in 2015, returned to the Power line-up last week after carrying the disappointment of missing Port Adelaide’s home elimination final against West Coast in September. He had played the four home-and-away matches leading up to that epic extra-time final at Adelaide Oval.
“And Jarman Impey came back,” said Johnson noting how seniority (Impey had 75 games to his AFL resume) and experience counted at selection in September.
“It obviously hurt ... but I had a grand final to work to with the (SANFL) Magpies.
“To play four games — and be dropped before the final — was hard, but you trust the coaches; they know what they are doing.
“Perseverance is the greatest lesson in this game. You have to work hard for the things you want. It is a massive step up from juniors to the AFL ... it does not get handed to you.
“I want to play AFL ... but I also want to have a good career.”
Johnson has three pre-seasons under his belt — and now enough lessons to draw upon to build a serious career. He has as his in-club mentor All-Australian Chad Wingard, another of the 10 indigenous players on the Power’s list.
“Chad’s best advice to me is not to doubt myself,” Johnson said.
“It is an awesome lifestyle (as an AFL footballer). It also is tough and demanding. So it has made me grow up a lot quicker.
“Relocating (from country Victoria) to Adelaide has made me a better person,” added Johnson who has shared lodgings with former Power forward Aaron Young and currently with goalsneak Sam Gray.
“Everyone has different things that push them forward. I want to make my family proud, the coaches proud — and to get back into the team (last week), now I want to do everything to stay in the team.”
Johnson returned to Alberton in the summer challenged to add endurance to his resume that was built on pace — explosive speed — and agility. He is now chalking up 12 kilometres in a match.
“The position I play has you up and down the ground,” said Johnson. “I’ve been working on my running.”
A few AFL defenders are about to learn why having Johnson in pursuit of them is to be a constant torment.
michelangelo.rucci@news.com.au
AIDYN JOHNSON FACT FILE
Age: 20 (October 31, 1997)
Guernsey: No. 31
Position: Forward
Height: 185cm
Weight: 81kg
AFL debut: Round 5, 2017 v Carlton at Adelaide Oval
AFL games: 6
AFL goals: 3
Recruited: From Bendigo Pioneers No. 45 (third round) 2015 AFL national draft.
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