Werribee forward Aidan Johnson had moments in the past few years thinking that it wouldn’t happen for him in the Victorian Football League.
Having joined the Tigers midway through 2021, Johnson had played just one game that season before it was called off due to Covid.
Injuries then ruined the next two years.
After getting his knee issues under control, Johnson played in round one this year.
Another injury looked set to derail his strong form, but luck was on his side and Johnson has kicked 10 goals in the past four games.
Johnson admits he thought maybe he wouldn’t get his opportunity to shine.
“It has taken a while,” he said. “It took two, two and half years to get out there and it’s been good.
“I’ve been loving it at the moment. There were some pretty dark times battling with my knee.
“I thought I might never get back out and play. We’ve gotten over that hump.”
Having been able to get out there and play has given Johnson plenty of confidence that he can play at this level.
He said growing up, he never thought about playing at this level.
It was a former teammate that got him to the Tigers and he hasn’t looked back.
“I played in the O and M [Ovens and Murray] and further out bush in the Hume league,” he said.
“I then went back to the O and M for a couple of years.
“Shaun Mannagh went off to Werribee and I soon followed him a year later. I never really thought I could go out and play in the VFL.
“Shaun got in my ear and then I started to come down.”
Johnson’s debut came in that first year. It was a memorable one.
“It was Covid and I couldn’t get home as the borders were closed,” he said. “I was doing a running session and I think Sods [Michael Sodomaco] did a hamstring.
“I had done a six-seven kilometre running session. I was walking off the track and then I put a jumper on and 30 seconds later I was playing.
“It was a bit bizarre.”
From then Johnson battled a patella tendon injury which he struggled to get on top of. He said there were lots of ups and downs.
With that under control, Johnson was picked for round one this year.
“It felt pretty good,” he said. “It was nice to get the phone call from Jimmy [Allan] that I was playing and all the hard work had come together.”
Everything was going well until he hurt his arm against Williamstown.
Johnson was expecting the worst.
“I was really flat,” he said. “I thought it was a season ending injury.
“I saw the surgeon and he said I could wear a compression bandage and have surgery at the end of the year.
“It was the best news I’d ever heard. I haven’t felt it since.”
Since returning from the injury after missing one game, Johnson has been one of the standouts for the Tigers.
Johnson said it feels like it’s a real sense of achievement.
Now with his spot in the side, Johnson is hoping to help the team make it deep into finals having been on the side lines last season as they made the grand final.
“There’s 12 players from the premiership side that are no longer here,” he said. “To get back up there is unreal. We are a tight knit group and gel really well.”
The Tigers had the bye on the weekend.
This week they face Box Hill Hawks before the finals series kicks off.
Sitting in top spot, the Tigers will have the chance to host some finals again at Avalon Airport Oval. A win this week will ensure the minor premiership.
Johnson and his teammates are looking forward to it.
“It is a massive advantage to get all the local downs,” he said. “There’ll be some big games and getting locals down there enjoying it, our boys love it when they get around us.”
