FREMANTLE courses through Michael Johnson's veins.
In the modern age of AFL football, the lottery of the draft sends kids to all corners of the country. Only father-son picks and a fortunate few others get to represent the club they grew up barracking for.
Johnson is one of those. He bleeds purple, and has done since the Dockers were formed in 1994.
"When I was a young kid I used to support East Fremantle in the WAFL," Johnson says in the AFL Record this week, ahead of his 200th game.
"It was just a family thing. (We) supported East Fremantle. So when Fremantle came into the (AFL) system we started supporting them.
"I used to rock up to Subiaco Oval or the WACA and stand. I remember it was tough as a supporter watching Fremantle (then). But I used to love going," he says.
On Friday night he will become the ninth Docker to play 200 games. It's fitting he achieves it against Richmond.
The club began its AFL journey against Richmond, in round one, 1995, at the MCG. Johnson made his debut against Richmond at the MCG, in round four, 2005.
"I was named an emergency for the game," Johnson says.
"I wasn't ready to play. But then on the morning of the game Matthew Carr was ill and I was told I'd be playing.
"I got a really good sleep in before the game so I was ready to run out. I'll never forget the moment."
Johnson played on Matthew Richardson and Greg Stafford and even drifted forward to kick a goal, but the Dockers were soundly beaten.
On Friday night, he will have come full circle.
"It's going to mean a lot to myself and my family," Johnson says.
"There have been challenges along the way but to overcome those hurdles and play 200 games for Fremantle is special.
"To run out with my kids…in front of the crowd and my family is going to be something special."
Read the full feature in the round 10 edition of the AFL Record, available at all venues.
