West Coast rookie Harvey Johnston on interaction with Collingwood fan, lessons from his debut season

Playing just his second game of senior football after debuting a week earlier against Essendon, Johnston was enjoying his first interstate trip when West Coast travelled to Melbourne to play Collingwood.

Then, during the final quarter, the 18-year-old had a fan interaction that he’ll never forget.

During the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ 66-point loss, Collingwood member Justin Witcombe reached over the fence and hugged and patted the rookie.

As lighthearted as it seemed at the time, Witcombe was banned from attending Magpies games for 12 months, with six months suspended.

“At the time, I didn’t think anything of it,” Johnston said. “But I checked my phone afterwards and just had people messaging me like ‘Are you alright mate?’

“It didn’t faze me and I’ve moved past it now. It was a bit of humour.

“He didn’t say anything to me. He just brushed me on the head.

“He publicly said sorry. He seems like an alright bloke. I didn’t have any say in what happened to him.”

Luckily Johnston had already learnt a few lessons about life in the AFL spotlight.

Drafted to West Coast with pick 49, Johnston moved in with Eagles co-captain Liam Duggan when he arrived in Perth. And he quickly forged a bond with fellow draftee Harley Reid, unwittingly becoming swept up in WA’s adoration for the number one draft pick.

“I’ve been stopped a little bit when I’m with Harley (Reid),” Johnston said. “You don’t really think about it until it happens and then suddenly people are coming up to you and asking for photos.

“I think I’m the normal person I used to be when I wasn’t in the AFL. I don’t think I’ve let the AFL status get a hold of me.”

Johnston has now played three games in his debut season, tasting victory for the first time against Gold Coast on Friday night.

It took the Sandringham Dragons product 10 weeks and a mountain of off-field work to force his way back into West Coast’s senior side after playing a couple of games earlier in the season.

“It was about physicality,” Johnston said. “I need to get a bit bigger and whatnot.

“I’ve been eating a lot more. That stuff will take time.

“I’ve been working extra hard in the gym and doing extra upper body sessions and whatnot, whatever it may be to help me get back to playing AFL.”

Johnston cut out chocolate, lollies and full-sugar Gatorade in favour of protein and volume.

“I’ll probably have four eggs in the morning,” he said. “I have a big lunch, maybe two chicken and avocado sandwiches.

“And then my host family makes dinner for me each night. It always tastes good. If I’m hungry I’ll throw in a protein shake or whatnot. It’s about getting a bit more in each day but I’ve got to maintain my endurance and speed as well.”

The sacrifices were worth it to enjoy his first sugar-free Gatorade shower on Friday night, his parents making the journey from Victoria to witness Johnston’s first win as an Eagle.

“I’m still buzzing,” he said. “You don’t forget moments like that. To win in front of 38,000 fans is awesome.

“When Jake Waterman kicked the goal at the end of the third quarter, I was on the wing and I’ve just turned to the crowd and gone ‘Cmon get up!’ It’s the best thing in the world.

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“It’s a bit of hard work but I’ve just been chipping away at the small things, whether it be my nutrition or fundamentals. I’ve looked at it as a positive like ‘You’re not ready yet or you’re not good enough yet.’

“You’re always looking to do more, be better and achieve more but the goal was to play a few games of senior footy this year although I didn’t expect to play three let alone one.

“I’ve just got to keep knuckling down. I’ve loved it and I’m very grateful to get my opportunity back in the squad and now it’s about not getting dropped again and playing consistent footy at AFL level.”