WHEN the Sydney Swans selected Lewis Johnston with the 12th pick in the 2008 AFL draft, neither he nor the club could have imagined that by 2011, he would still be waiting for his senior debut.

Having joined the club at a time when Barry Hall, Michael O'Loughlin and Leo Barry were in the twilight of their Swans careers, Johnston was viewed as an excellent key position prospect.

But two key factors stunted Johnston's development.

Firstly, a serious foot injury wiped out his entire 2009 campaign.

Secondly, there was his attitude.

In the past two seasons, nine other young Swans have made their debuts ahead of Johnston.

But the 20-year-old has finally done enough to convince his teammates and coaches he's ready.

"We've spoken to him quite a few times about working on his game and his attitude," said Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh, who has mentored Johnston for the past two years.

"When you get drafted in the first round, you think you're going to come in and play straight away.

"But you have to learn what it takes to play AFL footy.

"It's finally clicked for him this year and it's going to be good to see him get his first game.

"I work closely with Lewie, just watching his game and the way he trains and all that.

"This year there's been a considerable change in his attitude from the previous two years, and that's the reason why he's getting a game.

"He's been in really good form all year and deserves his chance."

With good looks and a designer haircut, the 192cm, 88kg Johnston draws plenty of attention.

He also wears No.23 -worn in other sports by superstars Michael Jordan, Shane Warne and David Beckham.

Johnston has had to walk a long road to earn his first senior AFL call-up, but his apprenticeship is over and he is desperate to impress against North Melbourne.

"He really wanted to play senior footy, but I don't think he knew how or what was required," McVeigh said.

"But to his credit, he's really learned this year and really studied the best forwards, the best defenders, and he's playing at both ends of the ground.

"He's listened to what the coaches and the players have wanted from him and this year he's really stepped up and really learned how to play senior footy.

"It's really good to see him get his chance this week and I think it's the fifth debutant for us [his season], so I think there's good signs for the future."