Toast Welcome to the SUNS, Lloyd Johnston!

[GC2015]

DOB: 21/09/2004
Height: 185cm
Weight: 76kg
Position: Medium defender
Junior teams: NT Thunder U18 / Wanderers (NTFL)

I must say I'm pretty excited about the potential with this guy. Athletically gifted, genuine line breaking speed, impressive vertical leap, a good height for a medium defender and has some x factor about him. For anyone that doesn't know Lloyd's story, he grew up in the remote NT town of Borroloola (1000km south east of Darwin) with his Yanyuwa mob and the town only has a population of less than 1000. He didn't play football while in Borroloola and moved to Darwin in 2019 for better schooling opportunities which is when he began playing football for the first time. Made his way through the Wanderers and NT Thunder junior ranks before really announcing himself to the footballing world with a strong 2021-22 NTFL season. This led to us inviting him to play for our VFL team this year where he again showed promise that he could make it in the big leagues. Sure enough, he's now officially a Sun!

 

[GC2015]

Lloyd reminds me of Liam Patrick with his lightning quick speed and vertical leap. Obviously they typically play at opposite ends of the ground but you can see the similarities in their game style:

 

[Ben Drever]

Jeez. Kids got talent to burn.
Could be anything…
Goodluck to him

 

[Emerald Sun]

I really love his reaction to finding out he's coming to the Suns.
Seemed genuinely excited.

 

[TheSunGod]

Lloyd looks an exciting player with a determination to make it. Heaps of room for improvement too considering he hasn’t played footy for that long.
Where was he tipped to go in an open draft? His highlights certainly look better than a lot of those picked in the top 20.

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

I ****ing love this kid. Have a very good feeling about him and he was so thrilled to join us. I reckon we are becoming a destination club for Darwin talent to be honest.

 

[KaySwizzle]

I come for business: Johnston


I’m liking the sound of him. Should bring some energy, on and off the field, at the very least.

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

I come for business: Johnston


I’m liking the sound of him. Should bring some energy, on and off the field, at the very least.

I would like to anoint myself as Lloyd Johnston's number one fan.

 

[Choppers]

I love these words from him....

“I don’t want them to regret picking me. I want to show them I come for business and to try and get them to a win a flag.”

 

[Supersuns]

Lots to like with Lloyd, great attitude, great natural football with pace and skills.
Will be a long term project though. He has a fair while to go

 

[The Gotham Penguin]

New article but paywalled - if anyone has access that would be great

https://www.ntnews.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=NTWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ntnews.com.au%2Fsport%2Fafl%2Fdavey-twins-selected-by-essendon-bombers-in-the-2022-afl-draft%2Fnews-story%2F8c04bea9fe90839b1055893302e60ee5&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium

Goodness - he reminds me so much of Austin Wonaeamirri

Austin Wonaeamirri

Age

37

Ht

176cm

Wt

76kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.0

3star

K

6.5

3star

HB

4.5

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.6

5star

G

1.2

4star

No current season stats available

D

12.6

4star

K

7.0

3star

HB

5.6

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.8

5star

Exciting times!

 

[Jen2310]

Lloyd Johnston:

“I loved every bit of the session today. The favourite moment would have been when the boys got around me after a good kick, made me really feel like I was welcomed to the club.

“It was a lot of running – non-stop. It was pretty windy. You might say here that it’s warm but for me it’s still cold.

“It’s good to be back here, I love each and every one of the boys. I’ve been sticking pretty close to Ben Long and Sean Lemmens – I knew Ben from Darwin and Sean is just a great role model.

“I had a chat with Stuey and he just kept telling me ‘do you, do what you do best.’ I’ve had to keep telling myself ‘I’m actually here at the club, I’m a part of this now’.”

New SUNS on Day 1

As the second week of pre-season comes to a close, SUNS media caught up with our four newest recruits for their thoughts after their first session as Gold Coast SUNS players.

www.goldcoastfc.com.au

 

[Jen2310]

New article but paywalled - if anyone has access that would be great

https://www.ntnews.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=NTWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ntnews.com.au%2Fsport%2Fafl%2Fdavey-twins-selected-by-essendon-bombers-in-the-2022-afl-draft%2Fnews-story%2F8c04bea9fe90839b1055893302e60ee5&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium

Goodness - he reminds me so much of Austin Wonaeamirri

Exciting times!

“It was an unreal feeling getting the call. I was nervous at first, thought the worst, but then getting the good news was amazing,” Johnston said.

“Once the news got on social media I was getting calls from all over, some were happy, some were emotional, but everyone was just very proud of me.”

Johnston joins a Gold Coast Suns side which has embraced its Territory relationship with Malcolm Rosas Jr, Joel Jeffrey, Sandy Brock and Ben Long.

And with former North Melbourne and Hawthorn midfielder Jed Anderson also joining the Suns as a rookie, the club is really cementing its link with the NT.

“Being around more NT blokes is going to be good, I know them from up in Darwin and I’ve played with Joel so it’s going to be amazing,” Johnston said.


“I believe anyone from the Territory can get drafted if they put their mind to it. Honestly just the talent in the NT is unbelievable, it’s just amazing.”

There’s been no lack of effort put into his rise to this level having represented the Allies in the 2022 AFL under-18 National Championships.

He also played two matches for the Suns VFL side and got a taste of training with the AFL squad when they spent two weeks in Darwin during the season.

“Being around them was amazing and those two weeks they came up gave me so much motivation,” he said.

“I’ve seen the way they train, it’s quick and fast and watching them play was just like ‘I could be out there.’

“I kept telling myself ‘you’re going to be AFL player one day, you need to me’ and it’s just lovely to be here.

“I want to show them that they won’t regret getting me in this pic I want to show them I’m coming there for business too, to try and get them to win a flag. That’s what I want to do.”

 

[GC2015]

Looks like we've got a new fan favourite at the Suns!

He certainly has the right attitude to make it in the AFL and I do think he'll get his chance next year given the fact that we're a little short on half backs at the moment (mainly due to injuries).

What competition will he have on our halfback line? Bowes is gone and Markov/McLennan got delisted. At this stage there's no guarantee Powell, Weller or Budarick will be back before round 1 rolls around. We really don't know where Uwland is at so you can't confidently say he'll be ready. It seems like his only real competition for a halfback spot will be Ben Long

22

Ben Long

Age

28

Ht

186cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.9

3star

K

6.2

2star

HB

4.7

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.7

4star

G

0.7

4star

D

12.8

3star

K

6.7

3star

HB

6.2

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.3

3star

G

0.0

1star

D

13.4

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

3.2

5star

G

0.6

3star

and Sean Lemmens

23

Sean Lemmens

Age

31

Ht

184cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.9

3star

K

6.7

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

2.5

3star

T

2.9

4star

MG

165.2

3star

D

10.5

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

4.5

3star

M

1.0

1star

T

1.5

2star

MG

213.5

3star

D

12.8

4star

K

8.8

4star

HB

4.0

3star

M

2.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

(although Lemmo is more of a lockdown defender). Potentially Jy Farrar if you choose to play him in that role.

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

Lloyd Johnston:

“I loved every bit of the session today. The favourite moment would have been when the boys got around me after a good kick, made me really feel like I was welcomed to the club.

“It was a lot of running – non-stop. It was pretty windy. You might say here that it’s warm but for me it’s still cold.

“It’s good to be back here, I love each and every one of the boys. I’ve been sticking pretty close to Ben Long and Sean Lemmens – I knew Ben from Darwin and Sean is just a great role model.

“I had a chat with Stuey and he just kept telling me ‘do you, do what you do best.’ I’ve had to keep telling myself ‘I’m actually here at the club, I’m a part of this now’.”

New SUNS on Day 1

As the second week of pre-season comes to a close, SUNS media caught up with our four newest recruits for their thoughts after their first session as Gold Coast SUNS players.

www.goldcoastfc.com.au

How can you not love this kid.

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

Only been playing 3 years, hectic upside on this bloke. I am biased though.

Lloyd knows what it's like to be racially vilified on the footy field, but that won’t stop him pursuing his dream

As the AFL is in the grips of allegations of racism against Indigenous players, this potential draftee from the Northern Territory is determined not to let racism get in the way of his dreams.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Supersuns]

Looks like we've got a new fan favourite at the Suns!

He certainly has the right attitude to make it in the AFL and I do think he'll get his chance next year given the fact that we're a little short on half backs at the moment (mainly due to injuries).

What competition will he have on our halfback line? Bowes is gone and Markov/McLennan got delisted. At this stage there's no guarantee Powell, Weller or Budarick will be back before round 1 rolls around. We really don't know where Uwland is at so you can't confidently say he'll be ready. It seems like his only real competition for a halfback spot will be Ben Long and Sean Lemmens (although Lemmo is more of a lockdown defender). Potentially Jy Farrar if you choose to play him in that role.

Lloyd is a nowhere near ready for AFL at the moment. He needs a couple of pre seasons in the gym and getting his endurance up before he can be considered. He is a long term project.

 

[Big Red Machine]

Lloyd is a nowhere near ready for AFL at the moment. He needs a couple of pre seasons in the gym and getting his endurance up before he can be considered. He is a long term project.

He's basically Ace for when we can't carry Ace on a rookie list anymore

But better.

 

[Jirik13]

Lloyd is a nowhere near ready for AFL at the moment. He needs a couple of pre seasons in the gym and getting his endurance up before he can be considered. He is a long term project.

Obviously, he is a draftee but IMO, he is no more a long-term project than other draftees. He is 185cm and 76kg apparently. I re-watched VFL game against Lions. As the game progressed, he was getting more comfortable, and getting better. He was very good in the last quarter. No reason he can't get a game or two as Andrew, Ace did. He actually looks ahead of both of them when they were drafted, at least body-wise and he does have a great skillset - speed, game awareness, great hands, very good kick.

 

[Jirik13]

He's basically Ace for when we can't carry Ace on a rookie list anymore

But better.

IMO, Ace progressed and deserved his 5 games and showed something, played well in our last game against North. It will not surprise me if he gets more games; great speed, pressure, reads the game well, finds teammates with his kick. Quite possibly, Ace's first 5 games were better than Rosa's ones.

Not claiming he will make it in the end, but I would not say we carry him.

 

[Big Red Machine]

IMO, Ace progressed and deserved his 5 games and showed something, played well in our last game against North. It will not surprise me if he gets more games; great speed, pressure, reads the game well, finds teammates with his kick. Quite possibly, Ace's first 5 games were better than Rosa's ones.

Not claiming he will make it in the end, but I would not say we carry him.

Yeah no disrespect intended to Ace he's come a long way.

I think the question is more is he worth a senior list spot when his time on the rookie list runs out.

Depends on our delistings next year I suppose.

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

Lloyd is a nowhere near ready for AFL at the moment. He needs a couple of pre seasons in the gym and getting his endurance up before he can be considered. He is a long term project.

I actually heard he gets more ready every second and he said that Supersuns is a jealous Oleg Markov burner account.

 

[Jirik13]

Yeah no disrespect intended to Ace he's come a long way.

I think the question is more is he worth a senior list spot when his time on the rookie list runs out.

Depends on our delistings next year I suppose.

Yeah, next year we will probably need 4-5 spots on senior list. It will be interesting.

 

[TheSunGod]

Lloyd reminds me of Liam Patrick with his lightning quick speed and vertical leap. Obviously they typically play at opposite ends of the ground but you can see the similarities in their game style:

There’ll never be another Flash

 

[Supersuns]

I actually heard he gets more ready every second and he said that Supersuns is a jealous Oleg Markov burner account.

And you're nothing but the Josh Toy to my Marc Lock