Lewis Johnston playing his first game for the Adelaide Crows on Saturday. Photo: AFL Media
Lewis Johnston played his debut AFL game for the Adelaide Crows on Saturday in its win against Fremantle.
Speaking to The Recorder this week, Johnston said he had given out about 25 tickets to family and friends to watch him play in a Crows Guernsey for the first time.
Among those who travelled to Adelaide to watch the game were his parents Maryanne and David Johnston, of Port Pirie, although his brother Conor was unable to due to work commitments.
Johnston played about 65 per cent of the match and had seven disposals – six kicks and one handball, from five marks.
However, Johnston, who was traded from Sydney last year could face a struggle to retain the spot – despite a good season with North Adelaide in the SANFL.
He admitted that he could battle to get in to the Crows team again this weekend – if Kurt Tippett or Jason Porplyzia are fit to play against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.
"There's definitely plenty of pressure (for spots), there's plenty of blokes as well in the SANFL playing so well," Johnston said.
"If Tippett or 'Porps' come in it's obviously going to be really hard.
"If I get another game it'd be pretty good."
Adelaide is sitting second on the AFL premiership ladder on percentage – although equal to Sydney and Collingwood on points.
He believed that the Crows could have a good finals series this year – as long as it stayed focused.
Its remaining games this season are all winnable – against Brisbane, Melbourne and Gold Coast.
The Crows could yet secure the minor premiership with Sydney’s final three games against Hawthorn and Geelong.
Collingwood is slightly behind the Crows on percentage and will meet West Coast in Perth in round 22.
Johnston said there was a great feeling at West Lakes and he didn’t believe complacency would be an issue for the Crows.
"Everyone's upbeat, it's such a good feeling being around the club," Johnston said.
"It's such a good opportunity, but to make it to late September we need to focus on one game at a time, so it's all about this weekend.
"The boys wouldn't even be thinking about two weeks ahead, it's all about this weekend against Brisbane.
"All of them are pretty level-headed, I don't see anyone getting ahead of themselves."
Johnston believed the minor premiership was within Adelaide’s grasp because of the improvement at the club since 2011.
"Our contested footy, we're number one in the competition, [we] just win it inside and [our] outside is just as good," he said.
"We've stepped it up so much since last year."
Coach Brenton Sanderson liked what he saw.
"He was okay, he tried his heart out," Sanderson said.
“Sometimes it's difficult coming into a side late in a season when you've played in the competition down (in the SANFL) for the majority of it.
"He got himself into the right spot a couple of times but the boys didn't see him.
"A few times you could tell that the game was just a little bit quick for what he is used to but he is a beautiful kick and a few times he had the ball in his hand he used it really well.
"He's going to be a really good player for us."
Adelaide)," he said.
"But in the third quarter I started to adapt to it and got into it better, which was good.
"Obviously I am wanting to play (AFL) again this week but if not, I'll just go back to North and try to play as well as I can and try to force my way back into the side," Johnston said.