Essendon draftee Lachlan Johnson reveals advice from his dad, Brisbane premiership hero Chris
Lachlan Johnson, the son of Brisbane Lions champion Chris Johnson, has revealed the advice his dad passed on after he was drafted by Essendon on Thursday. BOMBERS TRAINING PICS
Essendon
Don't miss out on the headlines from Essendon. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Don’t waste a minute.
Brisbane Lions premiership hero Chris Johnson had that sage advice for his son Lachlan after he was drafted by Essendon with pick 63 on Thursday.
Lachlan will spend his first year as a Bomber in recovery after suffering a knee injury playing for Scotch College.
But he is determined not to squander the opportunity he has to emulate the feats of his father, a three-time premiership player with the Lions.
SCROLL DOWN FOR PICS OF BOMBERS’ PRE-SEASON TRAINING
“He’s said ‘just be very professional’. The diet, the on and off-field type things,” Johnson said.
“Just don’t get caught up with the whole moment. Just be present and stay in the moment.”
Johnson had been prepared to head to Brisbane as a father-son selection before Essendon stole a march on the Lions.
Brisbane was intent on drafting Johnson as a rookie, but the Bombers pounced with their last pick in the national draft.
Essendon said the small forward was “cut from the same cloth” as his dad, who played 264 games for Fitzroy and Brisbane.
The 18-year-old averaged 15 disposals, two marks, seven tackles and 94 ranking points this year in five NAB League matches for Oakleigh Chargers.
MORE AFL NEWS:
AFL draft 2019: Recruiter Gary Buckenara analyses every club’s draft haul
North Melbourne coach Rhyce Shaw is in a hurry for Kangas to taste AFL glory
Geelong AFL draft smoky Francis Evans’ bold plan to play seniors in 2020
AFL draft: SuperFooty experts rate every club’s haul
Johnson said he aspired to join the pantheon of indigenous players who have played for the Bombers.
“All the indigenous players that have been in here, I’m glad I could be a part of it,” he said. “My name can be there, hopefully, in the future.”
Johnson will be placed on Essendon’s inactive list for 2020, allowing the club to sign a replacement while he recovers.
“Then hopefully second year, have the full pre-season in and then hopefully looking good to try to get a couple of games or just put on a good display in the VFL,” he said.
A graduate of Essendon’s James Hird Academy, Johnson was unveiled on his first day of pre-season with fellow draftees Harrison Jones, Nick Bryan, Ned Cahill and Mitch Hibberd.
