by DOC » Sat Jan 25, 2020 12:25 am
A former NBL player and state league basketball premiership captain is taking a shot at playing SANFL football with Norwood this season.
Sam Johns, an ex-Adelaide 36ers guard, is completing a pre-season at The Parade in the hope of breaking through the ranks at the Redlegs.
The 24-year-old was a development player with the 36ers from 2014-19 and won the 2016 Adelaide Premier League title with Southern Tigers before captaining the club to the 2018 crown.
But after losing his NBL roster spot, Johns said his mind turned to having a crack at the other sport he loved as a junior.
“After I finished with the 36ers, I always had it in my head that I wanted to play footy again because I played it growing up,” said Johns, who played junior football at Reynella and Willunga.
“At first I was just thinking locally but then Norwood got in contact and I met with (coach) Jarrod Cotton.
“They got me out for a few skills sessions and then asked me to come out to pre-season.”
Johns has not given up basketball and has crossed from Southern to South Adelaide for the upcoming Premier League campaign, which will run at the same time as the SANFL season.
He said juggling the two sports will be challenge but believed it would be manageable while striving to break through at the Redlegs.
“I’ve been there since the start of pre-season and I’m loving it.” Johns says.
“It’s taken a bit of adjustment.
“The fitness side has probably been the hardest challenge because you need such a different type of fitness compared to basketball.
“Skills wise I’m finding it okay, but I’m still learning all the positioning and set ups the club has.”
The club has also signed 22-year-old Brad Ficken, who played American college basketball in Miami, Florida and also spent time in footy as a junior at Willunga.
Ficken also trained in the second half of last season with Port Adelaide – in pursuit of category B rookie spot.
Norwood football manager Mark Ross said the 193cm Johns would likely start as a forward with the Redlegs’ reserves side.
“(Sam and Brad) have been really, really good, they haven’t missed a beat at training,” Ross said.
“How they’re going to go, it’s too early to tell. Everyone can see we’ve got a strong squad so it’s not going to be easy.
“Sam can really catch the footy and guys like that aren’t easy to find.
“He can probably play both ends but we see him more as a forward to begin with.”
When not selected for the Redlegs, Johns said he planned to play with division three Adelaide Footy League club Westminster Old Scholars.
