Cats TV caught up with Steve Johnson to reminisce the day he was drafted by the Geelong Cats at pick 24 in 2001.  

With the many club phone calls and visits to the Johnson’s household prior to the draft, Johnson’s Mum was feeling confident come draft day, however, Johnson wasn’t so convinced.

“I was pretty nervous that week, I wasn’t too sure if I was a guaranteed draft pick, so the week leading up to the draft was pretty much lots of sleepless nights. I was just hopeful and excited about it.”

To Johnson’s dismay his Mum had organized a secret party in preparation for the big announcement, as there was no doubt in her mind that it wouldn’t happen.

“The day of the draft I had a lot of people who started turning up at my house for a barbeque, which I think Mum had organized and I wasn’t too happy.”

However, his mother’s intuition was spot on.

“Luckily enough Geelong called me soon after to say that I’d get picked after the second round and they said I was coming here.

“I was really happy that Geelong picked me because it was a country town, as I wasn’t too sure how I’d go if I had to move into the big city.”

After receiving the news Johnson wasn’t too sure how to react.

“I just sort of played it down once they called me up. I was probably buzzing inside but I was also in a bit of shock.”

Since his debut in round six in 2002, the 30-year-old has played 215 games including three premierships.