In just his seventh game, young forward Lewis Johnston created a piece of AAMI Stadium history.
Twenty three years after former Adelaide captain Tony McGuinness kicked the Club’s first-ever goal in an AFL game at ‘Footy Park’, Johnston slotted the last. The 22-year-old slotted his sixth and final goal with a snap across his body late in the last quarter against Melbourne.
“I didn’t realise (I had that record) until a lady told me as I was walking around the boundary line after the game,” Johnston said.
“I hadn’t thought about it, but it’s definitely exciting to have a little bit of AAMI Stadium history.”
Johnston’s six-goal haul, which included four in the last term, also helped the Crows to end their stay at ‘Football Park’ the way it started – with a comfortable win, this time a 68-point victory over the Demons.
“It was exciting to get the win in our last game at AAMI, especially for our fans,” Johnston said.
“The boys didn’t have the best start, but we finished off well.”
Johnston has now kicked 11 goals in four games since being recalled to the Adelaide team. The straight shooter would’ve played more AFL football this season if it wasn’t for a fractured leg that saw him sidelined for two months – at the same time star goalkicker Taylor Walker got injured.
The former Sydney Swan spearheaded the Crows attack on Sunday, after leading goalkicker Tom Lynch (foot) withdrew from the side before the game.
Johnston said he’d benefited from being the focal point up forward against the Dees.
“I probably got used more through the forward line, which gives me more opportunities to get my hands on the ball,” he said.
“Getting injured when Tex (Walker) went down was pretty disappointing and probably messed with my head a little bit, but to finally come into the team against Port and play a reasonable game really boosted my confidence.
“It was good to finally kick a couple of goals.”
After the game, coach Brenton Sanderson declared the out-of-contract Johnston a ‘required player’ at West Lakes, adding the 2011 trade-week recruit had “done enough” to earn a new contract.
“His injury came at a horrible time … but he came back and played well for North and now he’s kicked (a bag of) four and six in the past month, which is good for him,” Sanderson said.
“His good is very good. He’s still got some footy to learn, but some of his raw stuff is exceptional.
“He’s still got two or three things I’d like him to improve on and we’ll work on those over the summer.”
Sanderson said Johnston would be part of a “very different looking” Adelaide attack in 2014.
“Lewy’s role would be very different with Walker and Jenkins in the side. I guess Johnston and Lynch would be vying for that third-tall role,” he said.
“This might’ve been the smallest forward line we’ve ever put on the park. Our key forwards today were Andy Otten, Johnston, Sam Kerridge and Patrick Dangerfield. We lost Tom Lynch before the game and he’ll have surgery next week. Our forward line today was very young and inexperienced … and they found a way to kick 120 points.
“All year, I’ve said how much I’ve really liked our young kids and how well they’ve stood up to a full season of AFL footy.”