AFL draft: Melbourne swoops on ‘super-competitive’ Werribee forward Aidan Johnson

Aidan Johnson – a 193cm forward out of the Ovens and Murray who hunts the ball like a midfielder – has got an AFL call-up at the age of 24.

Aidan Johnson (right) whoops it up after Werribee's premiership win in the VFL this year.

Coaches never like losing premiership players.

Werribee’s Jimmy Allan lost two last night – and he’s thrilled to ribbons about it.

While many VFL watchers expected the Bees’ cool and classy defender Riley Bice to be drafted – the Swans took him at No. 41 – few saw forward Aidan Johnson getting a chance.

Melbourne selected the 24-year-old with pick No. 68.

Allan was not as surprised as others: he said the Demons had been in contact with Werribee football manager Ash Collins in recent days, indicating they might take Johnson late in the draft if they still needed a forward.

The hard-hitting former Ovens and Murray player kicked 17 goals from 20 matches in the Bees’ premiership season.

“Over the past few days, they (Melbourne) were in contact with our footy manager a few times, so it was looking more and more likely over the last little period,’’ Allan said.

“It was a great result for ‘Johnno’.’’

Aidan Johnson training at Werribee. Pic: Werribee FC

He said Johnson was talented but a succession of injuries had held him back.

Before this year, Johnson had played only one senior game for Werribee, in 2021 against the Northern Bullants. He had played local football the previous day and was called up as a late replacement.

Allan called him “super competitive and someone who wants to get better’’.

“At the start of the year we didn’t know what our forward line was going to look like and whether he was even going to get through,’’ he said.

“As the year went on he became more and more important for us. Early on he had a dual role, forward and ruck, but as the year progressed we played two ruckmen and kept him forward.

“He can do both. He’s super-competitive. You know what you’re going to get from him. He’s 193cm and hunts the ball like a midfielder. His defensive stuff is really good. He’s very aggressive and very strong on the lead and he’s worked pretty hard on his goalkicking. Hopefully he can cash in a little bit more. I think he went at about 50 per cent with his goalkicking but he kept giving himself shots.’’

Aidan Johnson cracking in for Yarraville Seddon. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Allan said Johnson was a “fan favourite’’ and popular with his teammates and coaches: “He’s a great fella, a country boy. What you see it what you get. He’s great value.’’

He said having two players drafted in one night was almost as good as winning the premiership.

“A big part of our job is developing players for the highest level and seeing them realise their dreams of getting on to AFL lists,’’ Allan said.

Johnson came to Werribee’s attention after booting 53 goals and featuring in Lavington’s 2019 Ovens and Murray league premiership.

Geelong’s Shaun Mannagh – drafted from Werribee 12 months ago – also played in the flag, kicking six goals and receiving the best-afield medal.

Last year Johnson was restricted 12 games for Western Region club Yarraville Seddon Eagles. He was named in the best eight times and kicked 18 goals.

His journey also takes in stints at Old Brighton in the VAFA in 2022 and Brock/Burrum Saints in the Hume league in 2017-18. He had signed with Albury Tigers as his local club for 2025.

Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna said Johnson grew up in Albury and joined the club as a mid-season signing in 2021.

He said the Bees knew they were getting a capable forward but injuries had kept him off the scene.

“It was one after the other … we had to keep reminding him of the old saying that patience is a virtue,’’ Penaluna said.

“We found that his running technique wasn’t helping. He had to amend that. There were times when he was down but by Christ the end result is fantastic for him and a true credit not just to ‘Johnno’ but all our physios and trainers and teammates who helped him get through.’’

Johnson was the fourth Werribee player drafted in 12 months, following Mannagh, Sam Clohesy and fellow Ovens and Murray product Bice.

Originally published as AFL draft: Melbourne swoops on ‘super-competitive’ Werribee forward Aidan Johnson