Cats TV caught up with Steve Johnson to reminisce the day he was drafted by the Cats at pick 24 in 2001.
With many club phone calls and visits to the Johnson’s household prior to the draft, Johnson’s Mum was feeling confident come draft day, however, Johnson wasn’t so convinced.
“I was pretty nervous that week, I wasn’t too sure if I was a guaranteed draft pick, so the week leading up to the draft was pretty much lots of sleepless nights. I was just hopeful and excited about it," Johnson told Cats TV.
To Johnson’s dismay his Mum had organized a secret party in preparation for the big announcement, as there was no doubt in her mind that her son was about to become an AFL star.
“The day of the draft I had a lot of people who started turning up at my house for a barbeque, which I think Mum had organized and I wasn’t too happy,” Johnson recalled.
However, his mother’s intuition was spot on.
“Luckily enough, Geelong called me soon after to say that I’d get picked after the second round and they said I was coming here," Johnson said.
“I was really happy that Geelong picked me because it was a country town, as I wasn’t too sure how I’d go if I had to move into the big city.”
After receiving the news Johnson wasn’t too sure how to react.
“I just sort of played it down once they called me up. I was probably buzzing inside but I was also in a bit of shock.”
Since his debut in round six in 2002, the 31-year-old has played 233 games including three premierships.
This year, Johnson also polled an impressive total of 19 Brownlow votes but unfortunately suspension meant he was ineligible. Over his 13-year career, Johnson has collected a total of 106 Brownlow votes and has been named All-Australian three times.
Bartel recalls the day he was drafted in 2001
Mackie recalls the day he was drafted in 2002
Selwood recalls the day he was drafted in 2006
