In a year that may well go on to rival that of the now famous 2001 ‘super draft’, only a handful of the top 30 picks from 2008 are yet to make their mark.
All those yet to play - Johnston, Bulldog Ayce Cordy and Cat Mitch Brown - are key-position prospects who will take time to develop.
And all have had bumpy, injury-plagued rides to start their AFL journeys.
But Johnston, the kid who took more contested marks than any other player in the 2008 NAB AFL Under-18 championships, has barely rated a mention in his first 18 months in the system.
Having now overcome the mishaps that derailed his first year, Sydney Swans player development manager Stuart Maxfield believes Johnston is steadily building towards making his mark.
“He’s probably got senior selection within his sights now,” Maxfield told afl.com.au.
“What he needs to do is probably string three or four solid games together at reserves level.
“It’s really about consistency for Lewis, and then hopefully forcing his way into the senior side.”
Johnston managed just two games last year before a serious foot injury curtailed his 2009, while a hiccup during pre-season meant a slower start to 2010.
But after stripping some weight - to alleviate the strain on his young joints - Maxfield said things were now looking up for the kid from Port Pirie.
The 18-year-old spent a fortnight in defence earlier in the season as his club not only tried to further educate its former first-round pick, but had also liked what it had seen from Johnston when playing as a backman in his junior days.
However he has returned to attack in recent weeks and started to show the form that made him such a standout at under-18 level.
Johnston kicked four goals and was among the best in the Swans reserves’ big win on the weekend.
That not only continued his promising recent form, but gave Maxfield a better look at the youngster they were willing to cough up their first-round pick for on draft day more than 18 months ago.
“It’s been really difficult for our coaches to get a gauge on what stage of his football he’s actually at because he hasn’t played a lot of football,” Maxfield said. “And there’s no doubt he’s got the attributes.
“He’s got good speed, he’s a great kick of the football and he’s got great hands.
“We just need to build up all the other components, and he’s really attacked that with some purpose ... particularly in the last couple of months since he’s come back from injury.”
Maxfield admitted Johnston's early time in Sydney had been a challenging period.
Eager to impress new coaches and teammates, he has been forced to do much of his rehabilitation isolated from those whose approval he has most craved.
He has also watched on as fellow draftees such as Dan Hannebery and Campbell Heath, and this year’s batch such as Gary Rohan and Lewis Jetta, have cracked the big time and made their AFL debuts.
But the Swans won’t rush Johnston’s development.
Johnston, who is contracted with the Swans until the end of 2011, took some time adjusting to the training standards required at an AFL club but as he has lifted his workrate through the week, his results are starting to show.
If his current form continues, it seems simply a matter of time before the Swans unveil another exciting youngster.
