SA footballer Rob Johnstone, 79, set to be the oldest player at AFL Masters National Carnival 2022 (AFL Masters Carnival)

Rob Johnstone reckons he’s in the best shape he’s even been in and this Sunday he will hold a remarkable title at the AFL Masters National Carnival.

Rob Johnstone takes part in the sprint competition at the 2019 AFL Masters National Carnival in Townsville. He will play in his fifth carnival at the 2022 edition. Picture: Dominic Chaplin/Pinecreek Pictures

Maybe it’s his years of disciplined fitness or maybe it’s because he came to the game late, but one thing is for sure – Robbie Johnstone doesn’t plan to hang up the boots anytime soon.

It was 2014 when the Paringa beekeeper wandered over to the Riverland Superdogs to have a go at training with the AFL Masters club.

Coming from NSW and Queensland, the 79-year-old had never properly played the game but developed a liking to it after moving to SA with wife Christine in the 1980s.

Rob Johnstone, 79, of the Riverland Superdogs will represent SA at the AFL Masters National Carnival in Adelaide, which begins Sunday. Picture: Supplied

“At first I just trained,” Johnstone said.

“But in 2017 before the last game of the year I turned to Rowdy, one of the mainstays of the group, and said I’m playing the last game and I’m going to the carnival in Geelong.

“I was about 74 and he gave me a strange look and said ‘oh, OK’.

“And I’ve been to every carnival ever since.”

This Sunday, Johnstone will take to the field for SA’s over-65s outfit at the AFL Masters National Carnival in Adelaide, which will be live streamed by KommunityTV.

It will be his fifth and he will be the oldest player at the tournament, which features players aged 35 and over from every state and territory.

With a background in rugby league along with long-distance running and walking, the fleet-footed forward pocket’s decision to take up the game is just as unpredictable as his reason for doing so.

Johnstone in action for the Superdogs. Picture: Supplied

“I’ll tell you what inspired me to play football – and I warn you, it sounds crazy,” Johnstone said.

“I was watching the tele and they were showing Japanese touch football. And out on the wing was this 83-year-old guy playing.

“And I went ‘that’s me’.

“So I would like to get to 83 and still be playing, just like he was.”

While he recognised any injury could spell the end of his career, Johnstone remained confident there was plenty left of his playing days.

His said his fitness regimen, which includes 10 sprints from goalpost to goalpost at the local oval once a week, helps his longevity along with the great social side of the Lyrup-based Superdogs.

And it was that camaraderie with his teammates which kept him going through the death of wife Christine in 2019.

Now Johnstone continues to relish trips down to Adelaide for away games with the Superdogs – where on the bus back “there’s often more eskies than people” – while also caring for 13-year-old grandson Corbin, who is on the autism spectrum.

And still working hard of course.

“I train religiously,” he said.

“This might sound bizarre but physically and mentally I’m in the best shape I ever have been.

“As long as the body holds up I’ll be out there and going to as many AFL Masters Carnivals I can.”

The 2022 AFL Masters National Carnival will be held from September 25 to October 1 in Adelaide.

KommunityTV will exclusively broadcast 41 matches from the tournament across its four matchdays.