FREMANTLE veteran Michael Johnson has "massive" regrets about the pre-season kebab shop incident which will see him face trial later this year.
Johnson hit the headlines last November when he was accused of striking a 23-year-old man who was filming him with his pants down in Leederville after teammate Jonathon Griffin's wedding.
The 32-year-old defender last month pleaded not guilty to a charge of alleged assault and will stand trial in October.
"It's a situation you don't really want to be in, but I go to court later in the year for my hearing, so I can't really comment too much," Johnson said on Tuesday.
Match preview: Geelong v Fremantle
"It's not great (all the attention), but the support that you get from a lot of people around the footy world (helps).
"I wouldn't want any player to go through this, because it's not what I do. I'm here to play football so you don't want to be in trouble at all throughout your career."
Johnson stood down from the Dockers' leadership group and chose not to nominate for 2017, and had to answer to his teammates after the pre-season incident.
"I knew I'm the one who got myself in trouble, so I had to stand up and show a bit of leadership and tell them why and what happened," Johnson said.
"We've got a really good group here and the support the guys gave me around that time, I couldn't thank them enough.
"I still see myself as a leader, so I don't think anything changes."
Johnson denied having the charge hanging over his head affected his form earlier this season, when his spot in the side came under pressure.
Instead, he said it was tough returning to the AFL after a season ruined by hamstring and knee issues.
"I thought I started playing really good footy when the stuff was going on," Johnson said.
"There's no making excuses, it was just getting back into the rhythm of the game and speed of the game."
After struggling in the opening rounds as Freo was smashed by Geelong and Port Adelaide, Johnson started pinch-hitting in the ruck with immediate success.
The 221-game backman picked up the pace again and was a key player in the Dockers' stunning turnaround.
Johnson's form has suggested he could go on again next season, but he is unsure whether he will be offered a contract extension.
"Whatever happens at the end of the year happens. I know I'm getting old – I'm 33 at the end of the year," he said.
"There's some really good quality young defenders coming through the ranks at Fremantle, so if it is my time I'm happy to move on.
"It would be great to stick around, but I leave all that talk to the manager Colin Young."
The Dockers lost three games without Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) before the bye and Johnson was hopeful the giant ruckman would be fit for the daunting trip to face Geelong this Sunday.
