Aidyn Johnson will play for Fitzroy Stars when Richmond VFL duties allow
Despite originally nominating VAFA club Old Scotch as his aligned club, delisted Port Adelaide midfielder will instead line up for Fitzroy Stars in NFL Division 2 when not playing for Richmond’s VFL team.
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Fitzroy Stars have won the battle for former AFL player Aidyn Johnson’s signature.
The delisted Port Adelaide midfielder had initially joined VAFA Premier Division club Old Scotch but will instead line up for the Stars when his VFL duties allow after lodging a clearance.
Johnson is expected to be a key member of Richmond’s VFL premiership defence this season but the NFL Division 2 club hopes he will be available for 3-5 games.
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Originally drafted by the Power with pick No.45 in 2015, the 22-year-old played 11 AFL games before being cut last year.
Fitzroy Stars chief executive Simon Minton-Connell was rapt to have Johnson on board, even if only as a VFL aligned player.
“Aidyn’s a terrific kid, I hope he does really well (at Richmond),” Minton-Connell said.
“He’ll play a lot of footy at Richmond, so it will be the minimum (games) but we’ll take what we can get with a kid like that.
“He’s been working with at the club for a couple of weeks now and we’re looking forward to having him as part of the community.”
Johnson will be one of two VFL players at the Stars this season with Hedley Smith retaining his contract at Coburg.
Old Scotch lodged a clearance for Johnson on February 1 but 20 days later a second clearance was submitted for the young gun to join the Stars.
Cardinals football director Donald McDonald confirmed Johnson’s decision to switch clubs.
“We respect what Aidyn wants to do … if his preference is to play at Fitzroy Stars then we won’t stand in his way” he said.
“I don’t think Aidyn has come back to play football with Fitzroy Stars or Old Scotch, he’s come back to play with Richmond VFL.
“There’s no tug of war between us and them, let’s put it that way.”
Richmond has a VFL bye in Round 2, while the Stars will also have a week off because of the Easter long weekend.
The Tigers next break will come in Round 11 when Fitzroy Stars are at home to Lower Plenty on Saturday, June 13.
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