Montrose premiership coach Brett Johnson returns to the Eastern Football League club

MONTROSE’S bid to be a part of the Eastern Football League’s inaugural Premier division competition in 2019 has received a timely boost with the return of premiership coach Brett Johnson.

Brett Johnson in action in 2016. Picture: Brendan Francis

MONTROSE’S bid to be a part of the Eastern Football League’s inaugural Premier division competition in 2019 has received a timely boost with the return of premiership coach Brett Johnson.

Johnson made a comeback to football on Saturday, turning out for the Demons against Rowville for his first game in nearly two years.

The 36-year-old did not play a game in 2017 after stepping down as coach at the end of 2016 due to work commitments.

But Johnson will be available for Montrose for the rest of the season after leaving his position at the AFL Players’ Association.

His last game was in Round 18, 2016 but the club confirmed his availability earlier this month, with the former Hawthorn and Carlton midfielder joining training for the first time last week.

Brett Johnson and captain Dean Stephen hoist the 2013 premiership cup. Picture Lawrence Pinder

Montrose coach Peter Bastinac said Johnson would pull on the boots for the rest of the year.

“Greg Gardoll is our footy director and he made the call, we were obviously keen to get him back earlier but circumstances didn’t allow it,” Bastinac said.

“He’s left that (AFLPA) and the new job he has got doesn’t start until later in the year so he’s got some time and energy to burn.

“With his job change it has freed him up so he can come back and commit to footy so we were mad to not try get him back.”

Johnson captained VFL club Williamstown for five years following his 70-game AFL career before serving as playing coach at Montrose for five seasons, guiding the Demons to the 2013 Division 2 premiership.

Bastinac said Johnson would be a great support for him in his first year as coach at Montrose as the Demons attempt to hold their place in the EFL top tier ahead of next year’s competition restructure when two clubs will be relegated.

“First and foremost, let’s let him settle back into footy but there is a lot of conversations I am having with him offline that will certainly help me and the team,” he said.

“I have no doubt he is going to be a huge asset for us as the weeks go on.”