Past Travis Johnstone (2008-2010)

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Eventually, Wood went to Collingwood for selection 14 alone, with the Lions on-trading the pick to Melbourne for Travis Johnstone, who agreed to a three-year deal with the Lions. It is believed that next season, Melbourne will pay half of the $400,000 he was contracted to it for in 2008.
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Johnstone, 27, was to have been one of Melbourne's highest-paid players next season, and the Demons will pay a substantial amount, believed to be approximately half of his 2008 remuneration of about $400,000. He has agreed to a three-year contract from Brisbane.
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Johnstone heads to Lions, a 'scary' move
Michael Gleeson
October 12, 2007

TRAVIS Johnstone's life has been built on several certainties: he would live among friends in and around Chelsea, he would play his football at Melbourne and he would be the first tagged player every week.
All these thing changed yesterday.
Johnstone will now move to Brisbane in weeks, play his football with the Lions and attract the attention of jumper-tuggers alternatively with Simon Black, Luke Power or Nigel Lappin.
He will enjoy facilities the likes of which he barely knew existed and be coached by a man equal parts terrifying and charismatic. He will also kick the ball to the best forward, if not the best player, in the competition.
"There is no doubt it is a pretty scary move, especially making a move like this when you are 27," Johnstone said.
"I have lived most of my life around Chelsea and, for the first couple of days, I have been pretty blown away by the idea of having to go and live somewhere else.
"There are people at Melbourne who have been like part of my family, so I have been a bit emotional over the last few days. But since I went up there and saw Leigh and saw the facilities they have and he took me through the list and what they have, I am pretty excited.
"I feel my best footy is in front of me and … they said they want me to lead and they expect a lot out of me and I am happy with that kind of pressure."
Accepting the reality that he would not be a one-club player was one of the bigger hurdles for Johnstone when pre-trade whispers eventuated into more than than just speculation.
"My biggest issue was I always wanted to be a one-club player," he said. "When I went to Brisbane and saw Leigh, he asked me what I was thinking and I said I always wanted to be a one-club player. He said if I wanted to come, he wanted to have me."
When a person such as Leigh Matthews says he wants you, it carries some weight. Everyone wants to be wanted, but being wanted by a revered figure such as Matthews is somehow more compelling.
"There is no doubt it is going to help playing alongside Simon Black and Lukey Power and Nigel Lappin. I have been tagged week-in week-out pretty much since I started and it has been pretty tough. I have probably not had the players around me in the midfield, so maybe now they can go to someone else.
"I was looking forward to a whole fresh new start at Melbourne with a new coach and I had spoken to the coach (Dean Bailey) and he was going to play me off a half-back flank and now I am going to Brisbane and I will be getting a fresh start."
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Melbourne fans' anger over Travis Johnstone trade
Article from:
Mark Stevens
October 12, 2007 12:00am

MELBOURNE suffered a Demons supporter backlash late yesterday after Travis Johnstone became a Brisbane Lion.
Club staff took phone calls from angry supporters in scenes reminiscent of the dramatic day that Brownlow medallist Shane Woewodin was offloaded to Collingwood in 2002.

Johnstone was hugely popular despite off-field issues and frustrations over his inconsistent performances.

Melbourne list manager Craig Cameron said he could understand the sensitivity of fans.

"It's always a tough one when you trade out a player of that quality," Cameron said.

"Travis is a favourite player of a lot of our supporters. It's a difficult day for a lot of our supporters."

Although the Demons were tight-lipped, it is understood off-field issues were a factor in Johnstone's move.

When asked if the talented midfielder was a high-maintenance player, Cameron said: "He probably was at times, but he's not the only one that can be high maintenance."

Cameron said the club wanted to build its list, concentrating on players aged 23 or under. Johnstone, the 2005 best-and-fairest winner, is 28 next year.

"A new coach (Dean Bailey) coming in gives you a chance to rejuvenate your list," Cameron said. "In the next couple of years we'll probably see a few others depart.

"I think the move will be positive for Travis - different environment, structure and (it's) interstate.

"It will be difficult for him initially because when he did come to us he was still just a schoolboy."

For all his brilliance, Johnstone had only two top 10 best-and-fairest finishes in 160 games at the Demons.

Cameron confirmed Sydney and Fremantle had "nibbled" at Johnstone, but not significantly.

The Lions took the bait, eventually using the No. 14 pick they received from Collingwood for ruckman Cameron Wood.
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“The opportunity to pick up a top grade experienced midfielder doesn't come around too often,” Senior Coach Leigh Matthews said.
“Therefore sacrificing a young developing ruckman in Cameron Wood was judged to be a reasonable trade from the Lions’ point of view. We have been able to obtain Travis Johnstone at a very reasonable cost because the Melbourne Football Club will be paying for the majority of his first year contract”.
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Matthews was clearly chuffed with securing Johnstone in Trade Week.
"Whenever we played Melbourne one of my first thoughts was to how do we make sure that Travis is not an influence on the game - he was a very dangerous opposition player," Matthews said.
Johnstone, 27, relished the chance to join a midfield boasting the class of Simon Black, Nigel Lappin and Luke Power.
"It's going to help my football being around such quality players," he said.
"Being around such hard workers, there's going to be a lot of pressure on me and I will enjoy that."
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From: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22577067-11088,00.html
Johnstone happy to celebrate Lions heritage


Gareth Trickey and Andrew Hamilton
October 13, 2007 12:00am

TRAVIS Johnstone says he almost broke down when he cleaned out his locker at the Melbourne Football Club yesterday.
Johnstone, who is headed to the Brisbane Lions in a trade for pick 14, said agreeing to the trade was one of the hardest decisions he has ever made.
The move to the Lions den will see Melbourne's 2005 best-and-fairest follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Fitzroy 1947 best-and-fairest and Lions Team of the Century member Norman Johnstone.
"It was a weird feeling to be put in a situation to have to make a decision like that, but once I made the decision I felt really excited," Johnstone said.
"I was at the club this morning to clean out my locker and say goodbye to everyone and I nearly started crying because I've been there for so long and the club has been so good to me.
"Melbourne brought me into the AFL world and looked after me well, but now I have a huge opportunity to go to a successful club and get to play with some quality players.
"I hope that rubs off on me and I can help Brisbane get to the finals."
Johnstone, 27, told his grandfather on Thursday night about his move.
"He doesn't usually show much emotion, but I think he's quietly proud that I can wear the same jumper that he wore," Johnstone said.
Melbourne's decision to offload Johnstone resulted in a flurry of phone calls from angry Demons fans.
Johnstone, who played 160 games for the Dees, said the member backlash proved Melbourne was a passionate, tight-knit football club.
"It just shows how strong the supporters are for Melbourne and I think that gets questioned a fair bit," he said.
Norm Johnstone played 228 games with the Lions between 1944 and 1957. The family, although obviously forming a connection with Melbourne while Travis was a Demon, are old Fitzroy people who have taken to the Brisbane Lions since the merger.
"They were all Fitzroy, and they've supported Brisbane and gone to functions since the Lions formed," Johnstone said.
"Mum and dad, nan and pop are all pretty excited. They would have backed me whichever way I went, but there is that connection there."
In some ways Johnstone bucks the trend.
Many Victorians are not that impressed with the idea of leaving the so-called footy capital of Melbourne to head to Brisbane.
And then there's Queensland's famed heat, which takes its toll on many pale-skinned southerners.
But the No. 1 pick in the 1997 draft couldn't be happier.
"They think they are not far off having a fair crack," he said.
"They have a good spread of players at a good age. I've watched them a fair bit and, after the performances of the last 12 months, they are right up there, not far away at all."
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He looks almost better than me in my Guensey.
 
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Melbourne's Travis Johnstone said agreeing to his trade to the Brisbane Lions was one of the hardest decisions he's ever had to make.
Johnstone said he almost broke down when he cleaned out his locker at the Melbourne Football Club yesterday.
The move to the Lions den will see Melbourne's 2005 best-and-fairest follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Fitzroy best-and-fairest (1947) and Lions Team of the Century member Norman Johnstone.
"It was a weird feeling to be put in a situation to have to make a decision like that, but once I made the decision I felt really excited," Johnstone said.
"Melbourne brought me into the AFL world and looked after me well, but now I have a huge opportunity to go to a successful club and get to play with some quality players.
"I hope that rubs off on me and I can help Brisbane get to the finals."
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Tears turn to joy: Travis Johnstone admits he almost broke down after cleaning out his locker at Melbourne yesterday, but now that he has made the decision to join the Brisbane Lions he is excited to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Lions Team of the Century member Norm Johnstone.
 

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THE WASH-UP: UP Traded out a talented young ruckman, which is always a fraught decision given their rarity, for a 27-year-old midfielder with a wayward streak. If Wood plays 150 games for Collingwood, Johnstone will have to play some exceptional football in his final years to justify the decision.
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THE WASH-UP: UP Traded out a talented young ruckman, which is always a fraught decision given their rarity, for a 27-year-old midfielder with a wayward streak. If Wood plays 150 games for Collingwood, Johnstone will have to play some exceptional football in his final years to justify the decision.
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I don't necessarily agree with the last bit. If getting Johnstone means we get a flag in the next few years, then it's well worth it.
 
Re: Travis Johnstone

Welcome aboard Travis!

The Lions have a pretty good record of getting the best out of other teams players... Pikey, Michael, Patfull... theres a pretty good pedigree. And lets face it... hes got a lot of footy left in him... and good stuff too I'd bet with the right motivation and support around him.

Damn it'll be be good to have another quality midfielder for the opposition to try and match up on.... Lappin, Power, Black, Adcock, Johnstone, Rishca... throw in some good wingman and we're gonna be stretching some teams pretty thin.

Nice!
 
Re: Travis Johnstone

Gonna be a star for Brisbane... Will fit very well in your midfield... should play 4-5 years cause he is an outside player.
Well Done Lions.

Miss ya TJ -
 
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Senior Lions impress Johnstone
16/10/2007 2:59:20 PM
Marc Fox
Sportal

It took only 48 hours - albeit including a couple of sleepless nights - for Travis Johnstone to decide to swap Melbourne for Brisbane with the former Demons midfielder revealing he considers the Lions genuine premiership contenders over coming seasons.
From receiving word that the club was interested last Tuesday - while in Bangkok on a post-season football trip - to firming up the switch on Thursday after a whirlwind visit to Brisbane, the former No.1 draft pick didn't exactly hang around.
Johnstone said he had expected to stay with the Dees and work under new coach Dean Bailey, who replaced Neale Daniher at the end of the season, saying he always believed he would 'play at one club and one club only'.
But a mixture of the Lions' famed facilities, a chance to play with some of the finest midfielders in the competition and a long-time family connection with Fitzroy made Melbourne's 2005 best and fairest winner reconsider his options.
"At first I thought I'd be in Melbourne's plans … but I think my name got thrown around a bit and Brisbane showed so much interest," Johnstone explained. "When I came up and had a look around and caught up with a few of the guys … I think it's a pretty good decision on my behalf."
Johnstone's grandfather, Norm Johnstone, a Fitzroy team of the century member, played 228 games for the Lions between 1944 and 1957 and the family has continued to support the Lions since the merger.
But it wasn't purely an emotional attachment which started the 2000 grand finalist pondering a move north.
In last Wednesday's get-together with Simon Black and Luke Power, the Lions co-captains said all the right things about joining them in Brisbane's star-studded midfield.
"To have guys like that saying to you we want you to come and play for us, I was a bit overwhelmed by that," the 27-year-old said. "But I think I can bring a fair bit to this team which is going to help out the midfield group and the whole team."
As well as his silky skills, another area could be an official leadership role, especially given Chris Johnson, one of the five members of last year's leadership group, retired at the end of the season.
It is understood some of the senior Lions have already expressed a preference for Johnstone to take on some form of captaincy role within the team.
However, he will be just as happy blending into the background after being constantly picked out over his 10-year Demons career.
"Back at Melbourne I was getting the No.1 tag nearly every week and it was pretty hard," he said. "With such a quality midfield it's going to be harder for teams to choose which player to be sat on."
Johnstone finished with a rare glimpse of the perception of the 2001-2003 premiership kings.
"When I was at Melbourne last year we thought Brisbane might have had their time," he admitted. "But they showed in that second-half (of the season) that they'll be a real force to be reckoned with this coming season."
"They've just got so much quality and even their younger guys have stepped right up. They look like future champions."
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Former Demon now breathing fire for Lions
Laine Clark
October 16, 2007

For a player who once thought the Lions were past their best and wanted to remain a Melbourne Demon for life, Travis Johnstone still couldn't hide his excitement after being officially unveiled as Brisbane's new trump card today.
Johnstone, 27, played 160 games in 10 years with the Demons and was the first to admit today that he wanted to extend his stint under new coach Dean Bailey.
The former No.1 draft pick and Melbourne's 2005 best and fairest winner said he wanted nothing more than to be a one club player.
But a quick trip to Brisbane quickly changed Johnstone's perspective.
Told the Lions were interested, Johnstone returned home from an end of season footy trip to Thailand and 24 hours after visiting Brisbane agreed to a trade deal.
"I was extremely nervous at the start when I was speaking to Simon Black and Luke Power, to have guys like that saying they want you to come and play for us, I was a bit overwhelmed by that," said Johnstone who went to Brisbane in a trade for pick 14.
"I am so privileged to come to a team like this. I think I can bring a fair bit to this team."
Johnstone also changed tack on three-time champions Brisbane's prospects after watching the rebuilding Lions bounce back from an ordinary 2006 and come within a whisker of the 2007 finals.
"When I was in Melbourne last year we thought Brisbane might have had their time," he said.
"But they have shown in that second half they are a real force to be reckoned with in the coming season.
"Their younger guys have stepped up and look like future champions, and also they get (forward Daniel) Bradshaw back (from a knee injury).
"If we can stay fit and healthy we could give it a fair shake."
Johnstone - a 2000 grand finalist with Melbourne - even went as far to say as Brisbane offered his best chance of winning a premiership flag.
"It is probably going to be the closest I can get to one," he said.
"It's going to help my football too being around such quality players.
"In Melbourne I was getting the No.1 tagger every week and it was pretty hard.
"To come up here, with such a quality midfield, it's going to be harder for teams to choose which player to set on."
Lions coach Leigh Matthews ruled out Johnstone replacing the retired Chris Johnson on their captaincy group but said the midfielder would still play a key leadership role.
"The key issue with leadership is the example that you set," Matthews said.
"And as a really well performed player in the competition all of our younger players will look to what Travis does, how he goes about things."
Johnstone follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, Fitzroy 1947 best-and-fairest and Lions Team of the Century member Norman Johnstone.
"It's pretty special. My grandfather played for them and now I get the opportunity," he said.
"I didn't think I ever would. One my big things was to play at one club and one club only - (but) I was pretty fortunate for Brisbane to be keen on me."
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Re: Travis Johnstone

Ya know you try not to get in the speculation and 'exodus' talk that goes on on BF and occasionally in the media but...it is just so bloody good to hear someone actually happy to come to Brisbane and talking up the blokes that make up our team & staff. You would think with the success the team has had and the many respected players at the Lions that we would see it more often.
 
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Johnstone just one of the boys
Phil Lutton
October 16, 2007 - 3:22PM

For a player so used to being on centre stage, new Brisbane Lion Travis Johnstone says he can't wait to blend into the crowd.
Not just any crowd, mind you. Johnson is the latest addition to Brisbane's star-studded midfield and can't wait to share the attention of opposing taggers with his decorated colleagues.
The Lions unveiled their star signing at The Gabba today, with the 27-year-old former Demon - acquired in a trade deal that sent ruckman Cameron Wood to Collingwood - expressing his delight at suiting up next to some of the AFL's biggest names.
And he hopes the taggers that have hounded his every move since he shot to prominence in his 10 years at Junction Oval will divert their attentions as he tries to help Brisbane stride back into the AFL finals.
"In Melbourne I was getting the number one tagger every week and it was pretty hard. To come up here, with such a quality midfield, it's going to be harder for teams to choose which player to set on," Johnstone said.
Johnstone, sporting a cast for a chipped bone in his right arm that is due to come off tomorrow, could be the extra five percent coach Leigh Matthews is looking for in a group that narrowly missed finals football in 2007.
Johnston's silky ball skills and distribution will be eagerly welcomed by Jonathan Brown and the returning Daniel Bradshaw, with Matthews saying he's glad the experienced midfielder is finally in Lions colours instead of tormenting them.
"I know that whenever we play Melbourne, one of my first thoughts is how to make sure Travis isn't an influence on the game. When a player like that becomes a possibility of bringing into your group, that's a fair starting point," Matthews said.
"One thing we know for certain, when Travis has got the ball in his hands he uses it really well, left or right foot. I would have thought our guys forward of the ball are going to be looking forward to having the ball in Travis' hands."
Johnston said he was disappointed at being deemed surplus to requirements under new Demons coach Dean Bailey but but was elated to join the Lions and follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Norman Johnstone, who was Fitzroy's 1947 best-and-fairest and a Lions Team of the Century member.
He first got wind of the proposed move as he was to board a plane at Bangkok airport after an end of season trip with his former team-mates.
A meeting his his manager on arrival in Australia and a visit to Brisbane the following day, where he was courted by Lion's heavyweights Simon Black and Luke Power, was enough to convince Johnstone to make the move north.
"At first I thought I'd be in Melbourne's plans. I had a bit of a meeting with the coach and was feeling positive. But the way things turned out, I think my name got thrown around a bit and Brisbane showed so much interest," Johnstone said.
"I came up and had a look around and caught up with a few of the guys. I think it was a pretty good decision on my behalf.
"I was extremely nervous at the start when I was speaking to Simon Black and Luke Power, to have guys like that saying they want you to come and play for us. I was a bit overwhelmed by that.
"It's going to be a really exciting time ahead for all of us. I think I can bring a fair bit to this team that's going to help the midfield group and the whole team.
"Coming to here, with my grandfather playing for them, I get the opportunity too. I didn't think I ever would. One of my big things was to play at one club and one club only.
"I'm pretty fortunate that Brisbane were pretty keen to have me and I can't wait to return the favour of the faith they've shown in me."
Johnstone confessed that as a Demon last year, he thought the struggling Lions may have had their day. But Brisbane's late-season resurgence convinced him that the side can be a genuine threat come September if all the pieces remain in place.
"When I was at Melbourne last year we thought that Brisbane might have had their time. But they showed that second half they're a real force to be reckoned with this coming season.
"The players that stood up - we'll get Bradshaw back - there's so much quality. Even the younger guys stood up and look like future champions. I'm just so privilege to come to a team like this, we're they're not going to be far away.
"If we all stay fit and healthy I think we can give it a good shake again."
Matthews sees Johnstone, who finished fourth in the 2002 Brownlow count and played in a grand final in 2000, as a pivotal part of the leadership team but won't add him to the captain's list this season, even though one of the five club captains - Chris Johnson - has retired.
"That's not what we brought Travis up for. The key issue with leadership is the example that you set. In terms of a more formal leadership role, I couldn't see that," Matthews said.
"It's his first year at the club. But he is a player that will be in our half a dozen senior players. And as a really well performed player in the competition all of our younger players will look to what Travis does, how he goes about things."
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Johnstone's signing is a coup for the Lions and a no-brainer according to Matthews who said the trade was fair and reasonable for all parties.
The Lions gained Johnstone after trading pick No. 14 to the Demons after Brisbane gave ruckman Cameron Wood the green light to go to Collingwood.
While Wood goes with Matthews' blessing, the coach was disappointed to lose Richard Hadley to Carlton.
Johnstone, though, says he's genuinely excited to be joining an all-star midfield.
The 27-year-old said the toughest moment in the trade deal was when he rang long-time friend and Melbourne captain David Neitz.
Johnstone told Neitz of Brisbane's desire to lure him north as the pair boarded a plane in Bangkok after the Demons' end-of-season trip.
"He was a bit shocked and once I got home and had my decision, I wanted to ring 'Neiter' and he was disappointed," Johnstone said.
Brisbane's players are thrilled with Johnstone's arrival and already Luke Power has contacted him about a leadership role.
Matthews agrees Johnstone will play an important role at the Lions.
"Whenever we play Melbourne, one of our first thoughts was making sure Travis isn't an influence on the game and he was a very dangerous opposition player," Matthews said. "It gives us another high-quality midfielder when you need as many high-quality midfielders as you can get.
"The key issue of leadership is the example that you set and all the younger players will look at Travis and the pressure will be on Travis and the example he sets."
Johnstone says he's intending to start pre-season training with the Lions despite having undergone an operation on his arm.
The cast on his right arm will be removed next week following an operation for a chipped bone that the former Demon suffered this year.
"I feel very privileged and we can give it a fair shake," Johnstone said.
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Past Travis Johnstone (2008-2010)

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