By JARROD POTTER
HOW the years have flown by for Narre Warren Junior Football Club double-centurion Hayden Johnson.
Notching the rarest-of-all junior milestones, Johnson, 17, from Clyde North, strode through his 200-game banner and into the South East Juniors (SEJ) record books on Sunday morning.
He’s been a perennial part of Sweeney Reserve since he was seven years old and is the club games record holder and one of the highest capped players in DDFJL/SEJ history.
Busting through the banner on a frigid morning was nothing new for Johnson, but to reach his milestone at home was a fitting way to bring up the significant achievement.
“It was obviously the first time at the club and it felt good – been at the club for 11 years and everything the club has done for me over the years – they’ve always been there for me,” Johnson said.
“Just to be able to run out there in the black and white stripes for the 200th time.”
He’s had his personal highlights – premiership win and interleague representation – but it always came back to the team and being part of the black and white brigade.
Johnson needed that team support more than ever recently, after a freak hand injury almost cut his season short, potentially leaving him stranded a couple short of the milestone.
“Being around my team mate and around the club – all the boys trying to support me,” Johnson said.
“My parents as well – they were a big help then – and everyone at the club that are always there for me, they know what happened and knew how close I was.
“To have that support there as well as my mates helping me along the way.”
While it wasn’t a stellar outing for the Magpies Premier-1 side, beaten by Endeavour Hills to the tune of 74 points, Johnson soaked up the occasion and relished his role marshalling the troops in the back line.
The Magpies have a bye this weekend and with Narre Warren sitting last in the division, Johnson will finish his junior career on 9 August against Cranbourne – the 201st and final time he’ll don the Magpies’ jumper.
All he has left to do is hopefully notch one last win then decide where his football life will take him… but it probably won’t be too far from Sweeney Reserve.
“There’s nothing more I want to tick off personally, but just to get a win to finish off the season,” Johnson said.
“To run out with the boys one last time will be great.
“Wearing the jumper with pride and leaving a legacy of never giving up and always putting in.
“I plan on going to the senior club and also might stay around the juniors and help out with coaching.”
He wanted to thank his parents, mates and everyone at the club for their support throughout everyone one of his 200 matches.
