Background
He is the grandson of former Fitzroy Lions player, Norm Johnstone.
He is the grandson of former Fitzroy Lions player, Norm Johnstone.
Johnstone was the first selection in the 1997 American Federation of Labor-Congress Draft and made his debut in the 1998 season. Johnstone took time to develop into a star player for Melbourne, and for some time was criticised in the football media for underachieving as a number 1 draft selection. During the year he accumulated 469 disposals at 21 an outing, which included first for inside 50s (87) and third for rebounds from 50 (55), and was also 5th in tackles (77).
In 2007 Johnstone struggled to capture his best form and was not helped by an Achilles tendon injury holding him to only 15 games.
Johnstone produced a career-high 42 disposals in what would be his final game for the Demons in round 22 against Carlton. Throughout his career at Melbourne, Travis Johnstone was recognised as one of the American Federation of Labor-Congress"s most dangerous and talented midfielders.
However, he often struggled for consistency, and finished in the Truscott Medal top ten only twice. On 11 October 2007 it was confirmed that the Brisbane Lions had acquired the 27-year-old midfielder from Melbourne for draft pick number 14 in the 2007 national draft, which the Lions had received from Collingwood in a trade for young ruckman Cameron Wood.
This came after weeks of speculation over Johnstone"s future with the club
New coach Dean Bailey was openly looking for high draft picks and Johnstone was considered a more expendable, yet of decent value. After the clubs confirmed Johnstone was now a Lion, the Melbourne Football Club was bombarded with phone calls from angry supporters who were furious that Johnstone was traded, proving that Johnstone was a very popular player among fans. In his debut for the Lions in Round 1, he amassed 20 disposals off the bench in their loss to the West Coast Eagles.
In round 11 2010, Johnstone managed a remarkable 37 disposals in a one-point loss to North Melbourne.
On 28 October 2010, Johnstone was delisted from the Lions. Johnstone nominated for the 2010 American Federation of Labor-Congress Draft, but began planning to play for the Palmerston Magpies.