The 32-year-old reunited with his Dromana teammates Luke O’Neil and Liam Hogan at Langwarrin after signing with the club last week. It was the first time he’d touched a football since the 2013 grand final win over Sorrento.
The move brings together the successful partnership of Johnston and his premiership coach, Gavin Artico.
It wasn’t the Dromana connection at Langwarrin that got Johnston over the line. It was Langwarrin’s physio Mark Halligan, owner of Lifecare Physiotherapy. The wives of Halligan and Johnston are best friends.
Johnston is the second Nepean Division club captain to join the Kangas in the past fortnight after Tyabb’s Matty Dimkos signed.
Artico couldn’t believe his luck when he got the signature of “Rikki J”.
“This is a massive get for the club,” Artico said.
“We are a very young list and to have the likes of Rikki and Matty sign in the past fortnight brings a lot of experience to the group.
“Rikki is a quality individual and the best footballer I have coached or played against in my time in the MPNFL.
“He has won every accolade there is in football and was a star against Ovens and Murray when we beat them at Frankston a couple of seasons ago.
“I’m not sure those in Peninsula League appreciated just how good he is.”
Johnston will take on an assistant coaching role at Langwarrin.
Johnston told The News that he was a “long time retired”. “This is a new start and I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
