Former Essendon player Courtney Johns talks about his life as an AFL cult figure

FORMER Essendon forward Courtney Johns has opened up about the sometimes bizarre attention that came with being the Bombers’ “next big thing”.

Courtney Johns kicks a goal for Essendon.

FORMER Essendon forward Courtney Johns has opened up about the sometimes bizarre attention that came with being the Bombers’ “next big thing”.

The Johns legend grew as he waited three years for his AFL debut after being recruited in the 2002 rookie draft, with coach Kevin Sheedy dubbing him “the Southern Aurora”.

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His hulking frame, blond dreadlocks and having the legendary coach as his No. 1 cheerleader combined for a surreal life for a young player trying to overcome a horror hip injury.

“I remember seeing a photo of a picture of the Pope with my head superimposed over the top — it was truly bizarre,” Johns said.

“Looking back know, I just think, ‘What the hell was going on?’, but that’s just the game and people live and breathe it.”

Courtney Johns kicks one of his 18 career goals for Essendon.

In March 2003, Sheedy told the Herald Sun to take a photograph of Johns training. “Just put it in your files and keep it ready,’’ Sheedy said at the time.

“He started calling me different names in the media and I think that’s where it began,” Johns said.

“I started hearing these nicknames that were coming out and, as a young kid, I didn’t get it. I was just excited to be talked about and playing well.

“The Southern Aurora, which is apparently a train, I had no idea what Sheeds was talking about. He loves to have a bit of a gag with the media and it just so happened that there was a period where I was the topic. Another one was ‘The Messiah’, which was somewhat amusing, but it’s all a bit of fun. I didn’t worry too much about them.”

In an interview with the AFL Players Association, Johns vividly describes the injury that ruined his dream of being a top-10 draft pick.

Johns was up-ended while playing for East Fremantle reserves, dislocating his hip and damaging the tendons around his hip socket.

“I just had this almighty shock and didn’t really know what was going on ... I went to take a step and it was like I didn’t have a leg — I could not feel a thing. By the time I got off the ground, it was pure agony.”

Courtney Johns at Essendon’s pre-season camp in Darwin in 2007.

Courtney Johns celebrates a goal against Chris Judd’s Eagles.

He attended the draft camp but couldn’t take part in any drills and his medical was a disaster — one doctor told clubs not to touch Johns.

“To find that out and then miss the draft was brutal as a kid.

“I was fortunate that Kevin Sheedy was still in the game because he’s a guy who loves a story. He took me as a rookie.”

Johns eventually made his debut in 2005 and played 21 matches — kicking 18 goals — before his career ended in 2008. He now plays for Aberfeldie in the Essendon district league.

“I had an annoying career but that’s by no means unique, the majority of players have probably had that,” he said. “It doesn’t mean you’re any less of a person but it just didn’t click for me in that environment. I’m happy and proud that I gave it a crack but unfortunately it just didn’t work out.”