With a last place finish in 1997, Melbourne had the first choice in the 1997 National Draft. Their target? A youngster from Chelsea/Southern Under 18s, who had earned All Australian honours at Under 16 and Under 18 levels.

That player was Travis Johnstone, and this weekend he reaches a significant milestone, playing his 150th game for the Club. He was actually first sighted in action in Wellington, New Zealand, when Melbourne played Sydney for victory in the 1998 pre-season competition. Marvelling at his presence even then, it was written of him that ‘in the second half, talented rookie Travis Johnstone gave a good impression of having the bubonic plague. No Swan went near him as he controlled the outer side of the ground.’

It was an impressive debut for a player not yet aged 18, but with an undeniable talent founded deep in his family’s history. His grandfather, Norm, played as a tough ruckman for Fitzroy in the 1940s and 1950s. With his agility and slight build, Travis has forged his own place in the game’s memory, and this is confirmed with the honours he has registered along the way. Rising Star Nominee in 1998, Third Best and Fairest in 2002, fourth place in the Brownlow in 2002, Best and Fairest in 2005, and Most Consistent Player in 2005 – his achievements are many and varied.

And, with that, it is worth reflecting on the comment made of Travis Johnstone at the start of his tenth season:

‘A classy player who still has plenty of quality football ahead of him.’ (AFL 2007) 150 games have passed for Melbourne’s No. 16, but there is no doubt that much still awaits him in seasons to come. All who love the game and the Club congratulate Johnstone on his achievements to date, and look to the future with much anticipation.