Farewell to Travis Johnstone

[dees_rule_4eva 22]

I would like to say goodbye to Travis Johnstone. I have thoroughly enjoyed TJ playing for the Dees, and have watched on in awe as he hit targets time and time again with the most impossible of kicks. While some people may say he never fully realised his potential at Melbourne, I prefer to think back of the times where we all praised him for his influence. Here are my top 3 memories of Trav in a Melbourne jumper:

1. 2002 semi final vs Adelaide - TJ dominated and kicked four terrific goals along with his 30 odd touches. That was the game I thought to myself "TJ will win a Brownlow one day". He still might.

2. Queens Birthday 2006 - The goal he kicked on the run from about 30 on an angle, turned to the Melbourne faithful and saluted with both arms. I was in the section he pointed to, and can still remember the roar.

3. His goal in the Troy Broadbridge memorial game. Took a couple of bounces from the centre square and drilled from it from 20 metres, pointing to the number 20 which was temporarily tattooed to his arm. A fitting goal celebration.

All in all, I will remember Trav as a remarkably skilled player who I had in my top five favourite players. I think the time is right for him to move on however, and I wish him all the best in his new career at the Brisbane Lions.

I shall watch on with interest.

[CARN THE DEES! 14]

Travis i am sad to see you go as are a very good player for Melbourne and I wish you a very succesful career at the Brisbane Lions and hopefully you can become the great player we all know you can be.

[Brocky For President 0]

thanx for everything trapper

[Yze_Magic 3]

Good luck in Brissy, Travis

5% of the time you exhilirated us

95% of the time you plodded along, happy to cash in your massive pay check

You had it easy for way too long, and you wouldnt have lasted 5 seconds under Dean Bailey. Good luck with Leigh Matthews (get ready for a big shock )

[rpfc 28,073]

TJ, hopefully, will be remembered for all the great moments for the Dees. (Allow us to wait until his career is finished though)

Time to move on, in everyone's best interests.

[biggestred 4,846]

see ya trav.

frustrating to watch you were, but sometimes you blew our minds with your laser sighted boot.

whats the bet that he dominates at brisbane

[Oxxx 0]

This might be the wake-up call that Trav needs.

Next year he will either blitz the competition or fizz out.

[Egadz 0]

What's the point of finishing so low on the ladder and then trading senior players for more draft picks? I just don't understand.

I hope next time we play Brisbane Johno personally destroys us - I rekon we deserve it.

[Sir-Allen-Jakovich 0]

Will miss ya heaps, Trav. I can assure you I will be cheering heartily next time you step out on the 'G in colours other than red and navy blue. "Pristine disposal" - the Lions have summed it up very succinctly.

From Brisbane FC:

"Travis Johnstone has officially joined the Vodafone Brisbane Lions after a trade was struck between the Lions and his previous club Melbourne today.

Johnstone was traded from Melbourne in return for a first round selection (pick No.14 overall) in the 2007 National Draft which was earlier secured by the Lions from Collingwood in exchange for ruckman Cameron Wood.

"The Lions were thrilled to acquire Johnstone who played 160 games and kicked 111 goals in ten years with the Demons. The gifted 27 year-old midfielder played in 15 matches for the Demons this season averaging 19.6 disposals.

"Johnstone was selected with pick No.1 in the 1997 National Draft and has since made a name for himself for his pristine disposal.

He was a Rising Star nominee in 1998, Melbourne’s best and fairest winner in 2005, finished equal fourth in the Brownlow Medal in 2002 and was part of the Demons’ 2000 Grand Final side.

"His experience, ball winning ability and silky smooth skills will be an asset for the Lions midfield in future seasons.

"Johnstone brings with him an already strong connection to the club. His grandfather Norm played 228 senior matches for the Lions between 1944 and 1957 and he was named ruck-rover of the Fitzroy Team of Our Century."

[gOLLy 401]

Thanks for the memories Trav I know you will do well

[BrownlowBruce 1]

bailey... u better know wat ur doin ...

wizz , woey , thompson now trav

who is next?

goodluck travis... all the best for the lions.

only one good can come from this... we can fit another midfielder on the park each week dunn, moloney and silvias days at sandy are all but over

[DemonTraveller 0]

mixed feelings with this one........sad to see him go, hope we pick up a good kid with 14.

i think this is really an acknowledgment that we are not ready to seriously challenge in the next year or 2.

it will certainly throw the cats amongst the pigeons in our group of older players.

hopefully it will break them out of their complacency.

somebody big needed to go after the year we had and bailey signaled that travis's head was on the chopping block as soon as he was appointed coach.

seems like a man of his word......

[warren dean 193]

There have been many negative views expressed about Trapper on this board. I would like to thank Trav for his wonderful contribution to the club - life member, B&F winner and outstanding finals player. Trav also won the Most Consistent Player award in 2005. I have always enjoyed watching you play, and even though at times you frustrated the hell out of us, your skill and talent was never in doubt. In a way there is a wonderful irony to the fact that you were traded from the club immediately after the match in which you had the highest possession tally of your career (42) - traded after a 3 vote Brownlow performance. Probably not too many players who could claim that distinction. The shaggy-haired boy from Chelsea will always be fondly remembered by those true Demon fans. I wish you well at the Lions, and I'll certainly be popping a small wager on you for the 08 Brownlow. Thanks for the memories! (And now we begin the process of peeling off the number 16 from my 6 year old son's jumper-he's still deciding who will replace Trav as his favourite player-the Flash is looking a chance).

[H.B.K 0]

I would also like to thank him for his time, he was a pleasure to watch and I will miss him running down the wing at the MCG on Queens Birthday Monday.

Now I'm just hoping for the Palmer, Rance double at picks 4 & 14

[Guest unstable punt]

I would also like to thank him for his time, he was a pleasure to watch and I will miss him running down the wing at the MCG on Queens Birthday Monday.

Now I'm just hoping for the Palmer, Rance double at picks 4 & 14

he's back where his Grandfather played, at the Lions;

Norm Johnstone played 228 games for Fitzroy between 1944 and 1957. He kicked 195 goals in his career where he alternated between the following division and the forward line. He even led the Fitzroy goalkicking in 1955 with 32 goals. He played in three finals games in 1947 and 1952 and represented Victoria in 1948. He won Fitzroy’s best and fairest award in 1947. Johnstone was considered a very tough footballer by his peers. He was Fitzroy’s vice-captain for a number of years. His grandson Travis Johnstone currently plays for Melbourne. He was selected in a forward pocket in Fitzroy’s greatest team from 1944 to 1993.

[Guest unstable punt]

I would also like to thank him for his time, he was a pleasure to watch and I will miss him running down the wing at the MCG on Queens Birthday Monday.

Now I'm just hoping for the Palmer, Rance double at picks 4 & 14

l'm hoping Cotchin & Rance

[Geddy Lee 582]

Thanks for the memories Trav. You could have been anything but you never committed. David Nalbandian of the AFL.

[barpen 0]

best sight in AFL football was trav running down the MCC members wing and kicking true from 40m

i know ill miss seeing that

(at least dunn is a larger clone of trav)

[dee-luded 2,959]

Go Trav, I've allways liked Trav but he had to go for himself & the Dees. I hope you cut loose Trav & tear up the opposition, who ever it is. Good Luck & I truly hope you manage to get the BEST out of yourself.

[Guest Sademon]

Travis added the only real class the Dees have had since Garry Lyon's back packed it in. I can't believe that we would offer him up for a Round 14 gamble. Name the Round 14 pick's playing today?

I, like all other supporters have been frustrated with his ambivalence and inconsistency, but his always had a few mates. Pick 14??????????????????????????

[Total-Dee 2]

Sad to see you go

Thanks for being my number 1 player at melbourne for the past few years.

Melbourne's Best for only pick 14 I think brisbane are laughing at us(As I am crying about this trade!!!)

[Sylvias_chick 0]

Good luck Trapper!! You will be missed!! well by me anyway!! definately one of my favourite players!!

[Bristling T 11]

Goodbye Travis, i'm putting 10 bucks on your for the Brownlow next year and to have 50 posessions in your first game against Melbourne, because we all know this is bound to happen.

[redman 28]

The rolls royce of football

Plenty of silk, beautiful to watch, could hit targets off a step...

Not sure what to feel, nervous about what he might finally turn into...

Thanks for your 10 year service to the Red & Blue!

[deanox 9,770]

wizz , woey , thompson now trav

well of those first three, 1 wanted to go home so we didnt have a choice (dunno why you mentioned him actually...) and the other two in hindsight were fantastic decisions for the footy club.

based on that logic, there is a 100% chance we made the right decision!

thanks for instilling me with confidence brownlow bruce!